This information will help you manage bladder irritation while getting high-dose cyclophosphamide (SY-kloh-FOS-fuh-mide) treatment.
About Bladder Irritation From Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide is a drug used to treat cancer. When your body breaks down cyclophosphamide, this can irritate your bladder. This usually goes away in 1 to 2 days. Symptoms can include:
- Blood clots in your urine when you urinate (pee).
- Feeling the urge to urinate often.
- Urinating often in small amounts.
- Feeling like your bladder isn’t fully empty after you urinate.
- Feeling a painful burning sensation when you urinate.
- Having bladder spasms.
To protect your bladder, follow the instructions in this resource. If your doctor or nurse gave you different instructions, follow the instructions they gave you.
You can use the Daily Liquid Log at the end of this resource to keep track of your goals.
How To Manage Bladder Irritation From Cyclophosphamide
Staying hydrated by drinking enough liquids will help protect your bladder from irritation. Follow the instructions in this resource for how much of these liquids to drink and when to drink them.
You can use the Daily Liquid Log at the end of this resource to keep track of your goals.
How to Stay Hydrated
Drink at least 8 (8-ounce) servings (at least 2 liters) of liquids:
- The day before your treatment.
- The day of your treatment.
- Each day for 3 days after your treatment.
Drink non-caffeinated liquids (liquids without caffeine) each day to manage bladder irritation during your treatment. These include:
- Water
- Juice
- Soup
- Ice pops
Caffeinated liquids (liquids with caffeine) do not help to keep you hydrated. Drink no more than 1 (8-ounce) serving of caffeinated liquids each day during treatment. This includes:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
What To Do During Your Treatment
During your treatment, you will have an intravenous (IV) line. You will get fluids and a medication called mesna through your IV line. The fluids and mesna will help protect your bladder during your treatment. Try to urinate (pee) every 2 hours during your treatment.
What To Do After Your Treatment
After your treatment, try to urinate every 3 to 4 hours while you’re awake. Do this for 24 hours after your treatment. Urinate before you go to bed, and during the night when you feel the need to. You don’t need to wake yourself up every 3 to 4 hours to urinate.
Follow your healthcare provider’s directions for antinausea medications, if you take them. These help to prevent nausea (feeling like you’re going to throw up) and vomiting (throwing up).
Ask your doctor before taking:
- Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol®.
- Aspirin.
- Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil and ibuprofen.
- Vitamin E.
These medications can cause bleeding and make it hard to tell if you have a fever. For more information, read our resource How To Check if a Medicine or Supplement Has Aspirin, Other NSAIDs, Vitamin E, or Fish Oil.
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
Call your healthcare provider if you:
- Can’t drink liquids the day after your treatment because you have nausea, vomiting, or both.
- Have vomiting lasting more than 24 hours.
- Have pain while you urinate or blood in your urine.
- Have a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher or chills.
- Have any unexpected or unexplained problems.
- Have any questions or concerns.
For more information about cyclophosphamide, you can read the resource Cyclophosphamide.
