Valrubicin intravesical solution
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What is valrubicin intravesical solution?
VALRUBICIN (Valstar™) is a type of chemotherapy used for localized bladder cancer. Valrubicin interferes with the growth of rapidly growing cells, like cancer cells, and eventually causes cell death. Generic valrubicin injections are not yet available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• small bladder capacity
• urinary tract infection
• an unusual or allergic reaction to valrubicin, other chemotherapy agents, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Valrubicin is placed within the bladder through a catheter. You will need to hold this solution in your bladder for at least 2 hours and then empty your bladder. It is usually given in a hospital or clinic setting by a trained health care professional. Treatments are usually weekly for 6 weeks.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What drug(s) may interact with valrubicin?
Because valrubicin is given into your bladder, there is very little absorption into the rest of the body. There are no known drug interactions with valrubicin.
Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:
• aspirin
• acetaminophen
• ibuprofen
• naproxen
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking valrubicin?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It is important to discuss with your doctor the risks involved with treatment with valrubicin and delaying bladder surgery.
After treatment with valrubicin your urine may be a red color. This is different from blood in the urine and will disappear within 24 hours, with no cause for alarm. If you think you may have blood in the urine call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) products as these may mask a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.
Drink several glasses of water a day while taking valrubicin.
Men and women of childbearing age should use effective birth control methods during valrubicin treatment. There is a risk of birth defects if a women becomes pregnant and either partner is being treated with valrubicin. Women should not become pregnant while being treated with valrubicin or if their partner is being treated with valrubicin.
What side effects may I notice from receiving valrubicin?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• blood in the urine
• unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on your skin
• unusual tiredness and weakness
• fever, chills or other signs of an infection
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• bladder spasm
• bladder pain
• difficulty urinating
• having to urinate often
• urge to urinate immediately
• red color in urine (may appear for 24 hours after treatment)
• unable to control urination
• waking up at night to urinate
• burning when urinating
Most side effects occur during the instilling and holding valrubicin in your bladder and then for up to 7 days after receiving valrubicin.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine is given into your bladder at a clinic or hospital. You will not have to take this medicine at home.
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
