Evaluation of carboprost tromethamine in the treatment of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

The treatment of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis has been difficult, with overall poor results using intensive and costly therapy. The authors evaluated the treatment of this problem in four patients with prostaglandin intravesical therapy. Each patient had failed to respond to conservative management. Carboprost tromethamine (Hemabate) was instilled into the bladder, with dwell times ranging from 45 to 60 minutes, three to four times a day for 4 to 5 days. Two of the patients required a second course with carboprost tromethamine at an increased concentration. A third patient's treatment was stopped after the first 5-day course because of intractable bladder spasms and persistent hematuria. In the three patients who completed the full course of therapy the hematuria resolved completely. The only side effect noted was bladder spasms, which were controlled in three of the four patients with oxybutynin chloride. This preliminary evaluation suggests that carboprost tromethamine may be a safe and effective bedside treatment of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.