Excretion of disodium bis-2-mercaptoethanesulphonate (dimesna) in the urine of volunteers after oral dosing.

Dimesna was given to volunteers (n = 6) and levels of free thiols, mesna, cysteine and disulphides measured in urine. Mesna is excreted in the urine following oral dimesna administration. Peak urinary free thiol levels occur between 10 and 20 hr. Cysteine and mixed disulphides are also excreted. Mesna might be useful in prolonged bladder protection during oxazaphosphorine cancer chemotherapy.