Before your treatment
You will be required to have a urine test before you start treatment. This is because you cannot be given BCG treatment if you have a urinary tract infection or if you have blood in your urine.
Do not drink fluids for four to six hours before, and during your treatment. This is important as it will prevent the BCG from being diluted while it is in your bladder and will help you keep the drug in your bladder for the full two hours.
If you are on diuretics (fluid tablets)
- do not take your fluid tablets if your treatment is in the morning, take them after your treatment; or
- take your fluid tablets early in the morning if you are having treatment in the afternoon.
During your treatment
A urinary catheter (a flexible tube that drains urine) is inserted into your bladder. A local anaesthetic gel is used to reduce any discomfort during the insertion. After urine has drained into the catheter bag, 50 mL of BCG solution is administered through the urinary catheter into your bladder.
The urinary catheter is then either removed from your bladder at that time or left in place until the treatment has finished. To keep the drug in contact with your bladder, you will be asked not to pass urine for two hours. You may also be asked to turn onto your left hand side, then the right hand side and to stand up, to allow the drug to coat the entire surface of your bladder.
After your treatment
For six hours after your treatment pass urine sitting down and empty one sachet of sodium hypochlorite or two cups of bleach into the toilet. The toilet must not be flushed for 15 minutes. If you have a septic system you can use bleach that is safe for use with septic systems. This is to stop the BCG bacteria going into the environment.
Avoid getting the BCG in contact with your skin. If the solution does get onto your skin it may cause a rash if not washed off. After you pass urine into the toilet wash your genital area with soap and warm water and wash your hands.
Drink plenty of fluids in the first six to eight hours after your treatment.
Abstain from sexual intercourse for 1 week after treatment, or use a condom. This is to prevent your partner being exposed to the BCG bacteria.