valrubicin

What is the most important information I should know about valrubicin?

What is valrubicin?

Valrubicin is used to treat bladder cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body.

Most people do not have a complete response to this medicine. You may eventually need surgery to remove your bladder to keep the cancer from becoming metastatic (spreading to other parts of your body).

Valrubicin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I receive valrubicin?

• a urinary tract infection;
• bladder perforation (a hole or tear); or
• an allergy to polyoxyl castor oil, or to other cancer medicines (daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• overactive bladder, incontinence or leakage;
• bladder surgery; or
• trouble holding a large amount of urine in your bladder.

It may be harder for you to get a woman pregnant while you are using this medicine. You should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because the medicine can harm an unborn baby.

• If you are a woman, do not use valrubicin if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using valrubicin.

How is valrubicin given?

Valrubicin is injected directly into the bladder using a catheter inserted into the urethra (the tube for passing urine out of your bladder). A healthcare provider will give you this medicine, usually once per week for 6 weeks.

Valrubicin is usually given in a solution that amounts to about 2.5 ounces (1/3 cup). This entire amount is injected into the bladder and should be held in for 2 hours. Avoid using the bathroom during this time.

Tell your doctor if you have trouble holding in the medicine for the full 2 hours.

Your will need frequent urine tests, and you may also need a bladder biopsy or a bladder exam using a scope.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely but may cause worsening bladder symptoms.

What should I avoid while using valrubicin?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of valrubicin?

• blood in your urine or painful urination lasting for longer than 24 hours;
• pain or burning when you urinate; or
• low white blood cell counts (about 1 week after a valrubicin injection) --fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing.

Common side effects may include:

• red or pink urine within the first 24 hours after you receive valrubicin;
• increased urge to urinate, urine leakage;
• painful or difficult urination;
• bladder pain;
• increased urination at night; or
• nausea, stomach pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect valrubicin?

Because valrubicin is not absorbed into the bloodstream, it is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about valrubicin.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01. Revision date: 4/22/2021.