Mesna, or 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate sodium, is a medication used primarily as a uroprotective agent in cancer therapy. It is specifically employed to reduce the risk of hemorrhagic cystitis, a potential side effect associated with certain chemotherapy drugs, particularly ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide. These drugs can cause damage to the bladder due to the production of a toxic metabolite, acrolein. Mesna works by binding to acrolein, thereby neutralizing its harmful effects.
