Mitomycin

Side effects, including hair loss, usually go away after you finish the course of treatment. Hair loss does not occur when mitomycin is given intravesically for bladder cancer.

Side effects of mitomycin given intravenously include:

• Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
• Mouth sores (stomatitis) and a sore throat.
• Hair loss.
• Skin rash, sun sensitivity, and easy sunburn. Be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen of SPF 30 when you are outdoors, and stay out of the sun as much as possible.
• Lung damage that results in shortness of breath, cough, or chest pain.
• Fever.

Side effects that are common with mitomycin given through a catheter into the bladder include:

• Decreased white blood cell counts and possibly reduced red blood cell and platelet counts.
• Discolored urine. Your urine may turn bluish green to purple. This is expected and can last for up to 2 days after each dose.
• A burning feeling in the bladder.
• Irritation if the medicine gets on the skin.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

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