Bladder cancer is a rapid overgrowth of cells that occurs in the bladder. MedlinePlus indicates that signs of bladder cancer include bloody urine, painful urination, stomach pain and fatigue. Fortunately, drugs to treat bladder cancer exist to manage these symptoms.
Mitomycin
Mitomycin, commonly sold as Mutamycin, is available as an intravenous (through the injection) infusion given once a week or as prescribed to treat bladder cancer. Drugs.com says that this medication is an antineoplastic medication, meaning that it controls or kills cancer cells. It works to slow the progression of bladder cancer.
Mitomycin's less concerning side effects include blurred vision, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting and nausea. Other side effects include weakness and confusion. Call a doctor when mitomycin's less serious side effects remain for longer than 5 days.
Mitomycin's serious effects include diarrhea, a poor appetite and redness, pain or swelling at the injection site. This drug can also lead to black or bloody stool and kidney damage. Signs of kidney damage include include low back pain, trouble urinating and swelling of the feet or ankles. Call a doctor if mitomycin's serious effects develop.
A change in mitomycin's dose may be necessary when suffering from such conditions as bleeding and blood clotting disorders.
Thiotepa
Thiotepa, commonly sold as Thioplex, is an antineoplastic medication that also works to halt the progression of bladder cancer. Thiotepa is available as an intravenous medication given every 1 to 4 weeks as prescribed. Drugs.com indicates that this drug can also treat cancer of the breast and ovaries.
Thiotepa's less serious effects include a loss of skin coloration, dizziness, fatigue, temporary hair loss, vomiting, a poor appetite and nausea. Phone a doctor when thiotepa leads to these effects.
Thiotepa's serious effects include chills, fever and difficult or painful urination. This drug can also lead to liver damage. Signs of liver damage include a poor appetite, nausea and vomiting. Thiotepa can also lead to reduced bone marrow function, which can cause fatigue, easy bleeding or bruising, a fever and black or bloody stools. Notify a doctor when thiotepa leads to these effects.
Taking thiotepa while suffering from kidney or liver disease and poor bone marrow function may actually worsen these conditions.
Doxorubicin
Doxorubicin, commonly sold as Adriamycin, Doxil or Rubex, is another medication used to treat bladder cancer. Doxorubicin is given as an intravenous injection every 21 days or as prescribed. MedlinePlus says that this drug can also manage cancer of the ovaries, breast, thyroid and lymphatic system.
Doxorubicin's common side effects include a poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, darkening of the fingernails or toenails and trouble swallowing. This medication's other common effects include swelling and redness of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Notify a physician when doxorubicin's common effects remain for more than 5 days.
Doxorubicin's more serious side effects include a fever, sore throat, chills, pain at the injection site and abnormal bruising or bleeding. Sometimes, this drug can cause urine and sweat to turn a shade of red. Call a doctor immediately when doxorubicin leads to these effects.
This medication may interact with such drugs as cyclosporine, phenobarbitol, paclitaxel and verapamil.
