Oncotice (Mycobacterium Bovis (Bacillus Calmette And Guerin (Bcg) Strain))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is OncoTICE Used For?
OncoTICE is a specialized cancer treatment that helps your body’s immune system fight bladder cancer. It contains a weakened form of bacteria that stimulates your natural defenses against disease.
Primary Uses
OncoTICE is used to treat superficial bladder cancer and prevent the cancer from coming back after bladder surgery.
How It Works
OncoTICE belongs to a group of medicines called immunostimulants. It works by stimulating certain parts of your immune system to help your body’s natural ability to fight disease.
How OncoTICE Is Given
OncoTICE is not taken by mouth. Instead, it is given directly into your bladder by a healthcare provider using a sterile tube called a catheter.
Treatment Schedule
For bladder cancer: Treatment typically starts 7 to 14 days after biopsy. You’ll receive weekly treatments for the first 6 weeks, followed by monthly treatments for 12 months. For post-surgery prevention: Treatment starts 10 to 15 days after bladder surgery, given once weekly for 6 weeks, then at weeks 8 and 12, followed by monthly treatments from month 4 through month 12.
During Treatment
Don’t drink any fluids for 4 hours before treatment and during the 2 hours OncoTICE stays in your bladder. You must keep the solution in your bladder for exactly 2 hours – don’t empty your bladder during this time. Move around while the medicine is in your bladder. After 2 hours, empty your bladder while sitting down. Continue to urinate sitting down for 6 hours after treatment. Add 2 cups of household bleach to the toilet with your urine and let it sit for 15 minutes before flushing.
Important: The solution must remain in your bladder for exactly 2 hours. Do not empty your bladder during this time.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Bladder inflammation with painful urination, frequent urination, and blood in urine
- Flu-like symptoms including fever, fatigue, and feeling unwell
- Joint pain and arthritis
- Muscle pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Lung inflammation
- Anemia
- Urinary tract infection
- Urgent need to urinate
- Fever with chills
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions
- BCG infection in the blood (sepsis)
- Tuberculosis infections
- Hepatitis with jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
- Severe decrease in blood cells
- Blocked urine flow
- Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (overactive immune system causing fever that won’t go away, extreme tiredness, paleness, shortness of breath, easy bruising)
- Bone infections (osteomyelitis)
- Spinal disc infection
Important Warnings
OncoTICE has several important safety considerations. Your healthcare provider will check for certain conditions before starting treatment.
Who Should Not Take OncoTICE
Do not use OncoTICE if you: are allergic to the active ingredient or any components; have a urinary tract infection or cystitis; have blood in your urine; have active tuberculosis; are being treated with anti-tuberculosis medicines; have a weakened immune system; are HIV-positive; are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your healthcare provider about all medical conditions. Special care is needed if you have any risk factors for HIV infection. Your doctor may perform a skin test (Mantoux) to check for tuberculosis before treatment. If your bladder wall or urethra is damaged during catheter insertion, treatment will be delayed until healing occurs.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
OncoTICE should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Check with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Sexual Activity: Avoid sexual intercourse for one week after treatment to protect your partner from BCG bacteria transmission. If you have sexual contact, use a condom properly.
Drug Interactions
Several types of medications can interfere with OncoTICE and reduce its effectiveness. Your healthcare provider will postpone treatment if you’re taking these medicines.
- Antibiotics
- Immune suppressant medicines (such as anticancer drugs)
- Bone marrow suppressant medicines
- Radiation therapy
Alcohol & Driving
OncoTICE does not appear to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery based on available information.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned, but discuss alcohol use with your healthcare provider.
Driving and Operating Machinery
There is no warning that OncoTICE will affect your ability to drive or operate machines.
Storage
Store OncoTICE in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Protect from light and use before the expiry date on the label. Once prepared as a solution, it can be stored for a maximum of 2 hours under these conditions. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If more than one vial is accidentally given, you will be closely monitored for signs of BCG infection. If needed, you may be treated with anti-tuberculosis medication. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms after treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
The typical treatment schedule involves weekly treatments for 6 weeks, followed by monthly treatments for up to 12 months. Your healthcare provider will determine the exact duration based on your specific condition.
You should move around and stay active while the medicine is in your bladder. Do not empty your bladder during this 2-hour period. Avoid drinking fluids during this time.
Adding 2 cups of household bleach to the toilet containing your urine helps kill any BCG bacteria. Let it sit for 15 minutes before flushing to protect others from exposure.
You should avoid sexual intercourse for one week after each treatment to protect your partner from BCG bacteria. If you do have sexual contact, use a condom properly to reduce transmission risk.
The most common side effects include bladder inflammation with painful and frequent urination, blood in urine, and flu-like symptoms such as fever and fatigue. These symptoms typically appear within 4 hours of treatment and usually resolve within 24-48 hours.
Yes, your healthcare provider will likely perform a skin test (Mantoux test) to check for active tuberculosis infection. They may also test for HIV and ensure you don’t have any urinary tract infections before starting treatment.
If you develop a urinary tract infection or cystitis, you’ll need to complete a course of antibiotics before OncoTICE treatment can continue. The antibiotic treatment must be finished before resuming OncoTICE.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.