Version July 2025
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What is bladder instillation? —
This is when liquid medicine is given into the bladder. It is also called "intravesical therapy." Bladder instillation lets the medicine coat the inside of the bladder. Most of the time, when a medicine is given this way, it only affects the bladder and not other parts of the body.
Doctors use bladder instillation of medicines to treat or prevent certain bladder problems. Examples include:
●Bladder cancer
●Bladder pain
●Bladder infections
●Bladder stones
You might need a bladder instillation once or multiple times. This depends on why you are getting them and the medicines used. Your doctor will talk with you about how often you need a bladder instillation.
How is a bladder instillation done? —
It is done through a "urinary catheter." This is a thin plastic tube placed in the "urethra," the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body (figure 1).
Bladder instillation is sometimes done in a doctor's office or clinic. Or it can be done at home. This article is about bladder instillations done by a doctor or nurse.
How do I prepare for bladder instillation? —
The doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to do anything special to prepare. Before the procedure, your doctor might do an exam.
Your doctor will also ask you about your "health history." This involves asking you questions about any health problems you have or had in the past, past surgeries, and any medicines you take. Tell them about:
●Any medicines you are taking – This includes any prescription or "over-the-counter" medicines you use, plus any herbal supplements you take. It helps to write down and bring a list of any medicines you take, or bring a bag with all your medicines with you.
If you usually take a diuretic, ask if you should take it on the day of instillation. They might want you to wait to take it until after the instillation.
●Any allergies you have
●Any bleeding problems you have – Certain medicines, including some herbs and supplements, can increase the risk of bleeding. Some health conditions also increase this risk.
●Any surgeries you had on your bladder, kidneys, urethra, or ureters
●Any symptoms of a bladder or kidney infection – These include blood in your urine, a fever, or needing to urinate frequently.
Ask the doctor or nurse if you have questions or if there is anything you do not understand.
What happens during bladder instillation? —
When it is time for the procedure:
●The staff will place a urinary catheter and drain any urine from your bladder.
●The doctor will put a mixture of fluid and medicine through the catheter into your bladder. In some cases, they use heat or an electrical current. This helps your body absorb the medicine.
●You will hold the fluid and medicine in your bladder for a time. This could be anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. The doctor will tell you how long to hold the fluid in your bladder for the medicine to work. They might also have you change positions. This helps coat all your bladder with the fluid and medicine.
●In some cases, the doctor will drain the fluid from your bladder using the same catheter. In other cases, they will remove the catheter. Then, you will sit on the toilet to urinate. This keeps the urine and fluid mixture from splashing onto your skin.
What happens after bladder instillation? —
Most people can go home. Make sure you know what problems to look out for and when to call the doctor. Ask questions about anything you do not understand.
After a bladder instillation, the doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to take extra care with your urine. This depends on the medicine you got. Most of this advice is for people who are being treated for bladder cancer.
You might need to:
●Continue to sit down when you urinate for a few hours or the rest of the day.
●Use a separate toilet from other people.
●Pour bleach into the toilet after urinating.
●Flush the toilet 2 times after urinating.
Your doctor might also tell you to:
●Drink extra fluids.
●Wash your skin after urinating. This helps keep your skin from getting irritated by the medicines.
●Wash your clothes separately from other people's clothes if there is urine on them.
●Use a condom during sex until your treatment is done.
What follow-up care do I need? —
Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure you know when and where to go.
What are the risks of bladder instillation? —
Your doctor will talk to you about all the possible risks, and answer your questions. Possible risks include:
●Bladder or belly pain
●Bladder irritation, or a burning feeling in your bladder
●Infection or urinary tract infection
●Blood in your urine
●Needing to urinate more than normal
Bladder instillations done for cancer can have more risks than those done for other reasons. Possible additional risks include:
●Skin rash
●Your bladder holding less urine after treatment
●Fever
●Body aches
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Have signs of a urinary tract infection. These might include:
•Pain or burning feeling when urinating
•Needing to urinate more often or in more of a hurry than usual
•Blood in your urine
•Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
●Do not urinate for over 8 hours
●Have a new skin rash
●Have new pain in your joints
●Have a lot of nausea or vomiting
Patient education: Bladder cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Bladder pain syndrome (interstitial cystitis) (The Basics)
Patient education: Urinary catheter placement (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a urinary catheter (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a catheter to empty the bladder in males (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use a catheter to empty the bladder in females (The Basics)
Patient education: How to remove a urinary catheter (The Basics)
Patient education: Lowering the risk of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Bladder cancer treatment; muscle invasive cancer (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in children (Beyond the Basics)
