DMSO-HEPARIN-KENALOG BLADDER INSTILLATIONS 

1. What are DMSO/Heparin/Kenalog Bladder Instillations?

The 3 medications listed above are chemicals which are placed into the bladder to help patients primarily with symptoms of urgency, frequency, burning, and bladder pain that are not associated with culture documented urinary tract infections or cytology/biopsy confirmed bladder cancer.

2. What is the purpose of the instillations?

The medications that are listed are felt to reconstitute the lining of the bladder while soothing the discomfort associated with the condition for which they were prescribed. Healing is likewise felt to be promoted over the course of the medication's use.

3. How will the instillations be administered?

The medication will be inserted into the bladder via a small rubber tube known as a catheter. You will be asked to hold the medication as long as possible, up to 2 hours. Initially, there is difficulty in holding the medication because of the symptoms for which it was prescribed. Most often patients will experience over a period of time improved ability to hold the medication and ultimately be able to hold it for the required 2 hours.

4. How many instillations will I need?

Usually the course is 6 weekly instillations. Beyond that point, booster instillations at a period of either one month, or every 6 weeks may be administered if there if a return of symptoms.

5. How soon will I see improvement of symptoms?

symptoms may improve with the initial instillation, may require the full 6 instillations, or may not occur at all. In general, to give the medication its best ability to correct the problem for which it was prescribed, the full 6 instillation course is suggested regardless of the response to therapy.
 
6. What are the side effects?

The most commonly noted side effect is a metallic taste in the mouth. The taste and smell is sometime described as "garlic- like." You will be asked to give a specimen of urine prior to the instillations as the presence of a urinary tract infection will need to be ruled out.

7. What if it doesn't help?

If after the completion of 6 weeks of therapy there has been no benefit, further evaluation and treatment options will again be discussed.
Of course, if you should have any questions that this patient education literature has not answered, please feel free to discuss those questions.

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