(val ROO bi sin) Brand: Valstar
• You must not use valrubicin if you have a urinary tract infection, bladder perforation (a hole or tear), overactive bladder, incontinence, or trouble holding in urine.
• Valrubicin is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
• Valrubicin is used to treat bladder cancer that has not spread to another parts of the body.
• Valrubicin is generally given after BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin) has been tried without success.
• Valrubicin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
• You must not use valrubicin if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
· a urinary tract infection;
· bladder perforation (a hole or tear); or
· a history of allergic reaction to cancer medicines such as daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, or mitoxantrone.
• To create certain valrubicin is safety for you, speak your doctor if you have:
· overactive bladder, incontinence or leakage;
· trouble holding a big amount of urine in your bladder; or
· if you have recently had bladder surgery.
• Most people who receive valrubicin do not have a complete response to this medicine. You may eventually need to have your bladder removed to prevent your cancer from spreading to another parts of your body.
• Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy during your treatment with valrubicin, whether you are a man or a woman. Follow your doctor's instructions about how long to prevent pregnancy after your treatment ends.
• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether valrubicin will harm an unborn child if the medication remains only in the bladder. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
• It is possible that valrubicin could leak internally from the bladder and spread to another organs, including the uterus. If this happens during pregnancy, this medication could harm the unborn child or reason a miscarriage or stillbirth. Valrubicin is generally given during pregnancy only if the need for treatment of the mother outweighs the possible risk of harm to the baby.
• It is not known whether valrubicin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. You must not breast-feed while using this medicine.
• Valrubicin is injected directly into the bladder using a catheter inserted into the urethra (the pipe for passing urine out of your bladder). You will receive this medicine in a clinic or hospital setting.
• Valrubicin is generally given once for week for 6 weeks. This medication is generally mixed into a solution that amounts to about 2.6 ounces (1/3 cup). This entire amount is injected into the bladder and must be held in for 2 hours.
• Avoid using the bathroom for at least 2 hours after valrubicin is placed in your bladder. Speak your doctor if you have trouble holding in the medication for the full 2 hours.
• If this medication accidentally gets on your skin, wash it thoroughly with soap and warm water.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress with frequent urine trials while you are using valrubicin. You may also need to have a bladder biopsy or a bladder exam using a scope.
• Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your valrubicin injection.
• Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.
• This medication can pass into body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit, semen, vaginal fluid). For at least 48 hours after you receive a doze, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or another surfaces. Patients and caregivers must wear rubber gloves while cleaning up body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands till and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens apart from another laundry.
• Body fluids must not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. Use condoms during sexual activity to avoid exposure to body fluids.
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor at once if you have:
· pain or burning when you urinate;
· blood in your urine or painful urination lasting for longer than 24 hours; or
· fever, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea.
• General side effects may include:
· red or pink urine within the first 24 hours after you receive valrubicin;
· heighten urge to urinate, urine leakage;
· magnify in night-time urinating; or
· feeling like your bladder is not completely empty.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
• Because valrubicin is not absorbed into the bloodstream, it is not likely that another drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on valrubicin used in the bladder. But much drugs can interact with every another. Speak every of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal commodity.
• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about valrubicin.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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