
Severe complications are treated with three or four tuberculostatics over 3–12 months, depending on the severity of the situation. Corticosteroids are an essential therapy in BCG septicemia. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids can manage efficiently the immunological complications.
Full Answer
Can you take painkillers after a BCG?
On the MacMillan page for BCG it does list pain as a side effect, but also says that you can take painkillers. Perhaps your GP or the hospital can give you a strong painkiller, such as a strong co-codamol, that you can take either before or soon after the treatment.
What are the side effects of a BCG?
You may not notice any reaction after the first few BCG treatments. After the third treatment, patients usually start to experience bladder irritation pain or burning during urination, joint pain, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms that can last a few days. Most symptoms and side effects can be treated with over-the-counter pain medicines.
How long does the pain last after a BCG procedure?
I had around 9 BCG treatments but they had to stop BCG treatment due to the excrutiating pain. In most cases this pain slowly goes over time (usually no more than 3 weeks).
How do I prepare for a BCG procedure?
Before Your doctor will give you a set of instructions before your BCG treatment to help you prepare for the procedure. 1 In general, patients are usually told to limit their fluid intake for 6 hours before treatment. Drinking less will ensure that less urine is produced, and this will prevent the BCG treatment from being diluted in the bladder.

Can you take ibuprofen after BCG treatment?
No interactions were found between ibuprofen and Tice BCG Vaccine.
Can you take Tylenol after BCG treatment?
If severe, your next treatment may be delayed. Muscle or joint pain may rarely occur. You may take acetaminophen (e.g., TYLENOL®) every 4-6 hours to a maximum of 4 g (4000 mg) per day or ibuprofen (e.g., ADVIL®) for mild to moderate pain. Tell your doctor if the pain interferes with your activity.
How do you manage the side effects of BCG?
Severe complications are treated with three or four tuberculostatics over 3–12 months, depending on the severity of the situation. Corticosteroids are an essential therapy in BCG septicemia. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids can manage efficiently the immunological complications.
Is BCG bladder treatment painful?
It is generally not considered a painful procedure, though some may find it uncomfortable. Any urine remaining in the bladder will be drained and then a BCG solution will be inserted into the bladder next to the tumor and should remain for two hours.
Should you drink lots of water after BCG treatment?
You may also experience a small amount of bleeding and discomfort when passing urine, particularly in the first 24 to 48 hours after treatment. Drinking plenty of clear fluids will help. Avoid tea and coffee as caffeine tends to make the bladder irritability worse.
When do side effects of BCG start?
It's normal to develop certain side effects within the first 24 hours after BCG treatment. These side effects may include: A small amount of blood in your pee. Low-grade fever (99-100 degrees Fahrenheit [37.22-37.77 degrees Celsius]).
How long does it take for BCG to heal?
In 1-6 weeks – a small, red blister may appear at the injection site. This should heal within a few weeks. After 6-12 weeks – the blister may turn into a small, weeping sore. The sore may take up to 3 months to heal, and may leave a small scar.
Why do you have to bleach toilet after BCG treatment?
I think the important thing is that, usually, your provider should be giving you instructions of how to dispose of your urine after the BCG is instilled, but the general principle is using bleach in the toilet to try and kill all those spores that may still be active and, with the precaution, that should decrease the ...
Does BCG cause bladder spasms?
About 4 to 6 hours after treatment, you may have bladder symptoms such as sudden urges to urinate, frequent urination, stomach discomfort, bloating, and possibly loss of bladder control. Tell your doctor right away if these side effects last for longer than 2 or 3 days.
Can BCG treatments cause joint pain?
In some cases, people on BCG therapy can get reactive arthritis. This means their bodies react negatively to the therapy, which causes their joints to swell. The joint pain can be bad enough to affect a person's daily routine.
How many times can you have BCG treatments?
Maintenance BCG is typically given once per week for three weeks at 3, 6, and 12 months after the initial BCG treatment. In some cases, maintenance BCG treatment will be recommended for one year for those at intermediate risk of recurrence and for three years for those at higher risk for recurrence.
What is the success rate of BCG treatment?
This method of treatment is considered a form of immunotherapy, which is an emerging form of cancer treatment. The success rate for BCG treatment for bladder cancer is about 90%, which is considered the best life-saving rate by any treatment.
How long does it take to get a BCG removed?
1,2 It is generally not considered a painful procedure, though some may find it uncomfortable. Any urine remaining in the bladder will be drained and then a BCG solution will be inserted into the bladder next to the tumor and should remain for two hours. The catheter is normally removed after the BCG is placed into the bladder, and patients can get up and walk around during the waiting time. If the catheter is not removed for some reason, it is clamped to keep the BCG in the bladder. Patients are asked not to urinate for the two hours waiting time. Most people can travel independently to the doctor for the procedure, but it may be helpful to have another person accompany you to help pass the time.
How long does a BCG stay in the bladder?
Any urine remaining in the bladder will be drained and then a BCG solution will be inserted into the bladder next to the tumor and should remain for two hours. The catheter is normally removed after the BCG is placed into the bladder, and patients can get up and walk around during the waiting time.
Can you drink fluids after a BCG?
After the BCG is drained from the bladder, patients can resume drinking fluids normally. Because BCG is a live vaccine, there are some important safety measures to keep in mind that your doctor can explain.
Can you urinate after a BCG catheter is removed?
If the catheter is not removed for some reason, it is clamped to keep the BCG in the bladder. Patients are asked not to urinate for the two hours waiting time. Most people can travel independently to the doctor for the procedure, but it may be helpful to have another person accompany you to help pass the time.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
I haven't posted for a while but I'm interested to know if anyone has experienced or is experiencing anything like myself. My BCG treatment was stopped after 12 rounds due to the severe pain I was experiencing. That has now been over a year ago.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
I'm very sorry to hear that you're struggling with side effects from your treatment. It sounds as if it's really impacting on your daily life and I can imagine that it is incredibly frustrating for you.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi, I have had my 14th bcg today and as always peeing is extremely painful and also have blood clots coming out. Despite taking Co codamol before treatment and after the pain is quite intense, and spend rest of the day in the bathroom.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi everyone. I am new to this forum. I wanted to share my experience i have had with stage 3 non invasive bladder cancer. I was diagnosed 2 years ago aged 48, I have had numerous turbts and currently on bcg Maintenance therapy. I had 2 induction courses because the tumour came back because I didn't have any treatment for a year due to covid.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi jojoxoxo, sorry to hear about your pain. You are not alone! It's now been 3 years since my diagnosis with non-evasive bladder cancer. I had around 9 BCG treatments but they had to stop BCG treatment due to the excrutiating pain. In most cases this pain slowly goes over time (usually no more than 3 weeks).
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi, jojoxoxo, yes I feel like giving up also, this week has been one of the worst, normally pain stops after a couple of days but not this week. I am having 15th bcg this coming Monday and now have Tramadol for the pain but reading some of these replies I am thinking I should stop now before even more damage is done.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi, I have just found this post & am interested to see how everyone is doing now? Im sorry to hear of your situation & hope things are better. My husband has had 13 treatments & suffered the excrutiating pain you all describe after his 14th round of BCG. The pain lasted a few weeks & he was prescribed tramadol.
How long do you have to hold your urine for BCG?
During the treatment, a person will need to hold their urine for around 2 hours. After this, the healthcare professional will ask the individual to empty their bladder. The BCG drug contains live bacteria that a person can pass to other people.
What is the treatment for bladder cancer?
Bacillus Calmette–Guerin is a form of immunotherapy that doctors can use to treat some forms of bladder cancer. Following surgery to remove the cancer, this treatment can help prevent the cancer from returning.
Can you drink caffeine after BCG?
They may ask the individual not to drink fluids for several hours before the procedure. They might also recommend that the person avoids consuming caffeine immediately after having BCG immunotherapy .
In Summary
Commonly reported side effects of bcg include: urinary tract infection, detrusor hyperreflexia of bladder, fever, hematuria, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, vomiting, chills, and malaise. Other side effects include: arthralgia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
For the Consumer
Bacillus of Calmette and Guérin (BCG) infections have been reported in health care workers and in patients because of exposure to the vaccine during preparation and administration. Serious and fatal disseminated BCG infections have occurred with intravesical administration.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to bcg: intravesical powder for reconstitution, percutaneous powder for injection
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Can you break codeine in half?
You should take the minimum amount of codeine to give you the pain relief you need and minimise the side effects. You can even break a tablet in half if necessary, although you might need to buy a tablet cutter from any chemist.
Can you take painkillers with BCG?
On the MacMillan page for BCG it does list pain as a side effect, but also says that you can take painkillers. Perhaps your GP or the hospital can give you a strong painkiller, such as a strong co-codamol, that you can take either before or soon after the treatment.
