Valrubicin

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Valstar Preservative Free)

What is Valrubicin?[edit | edit source]

  • Valrubicin (Valstar) is an anthracycline topoisomerase inhibitor used to treat bladder carcinoma in situ that did not get better after treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG).
  • It is used in patients who cannot have surgery right away to remove all or part of the bladder.
Valrubicin



What are the uses of this medicine?[edit | edit source]

  • Valrubicin (Valstar) is approved to treat:

Bladder cancer:

  • It is given directly into the bladder as a treatment for carcinoma in situ that does not respond to treatment with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG).
  • It is used in patients who cannot have surgery right away.


How does this medicine work?[edit | edit source]

  • Valrubicin is an anthracycline that affects a variety of interrelated biological functions, most of which involve nucleic acid metabolism.
  • In cells, it inhibits the incorporation of nucleosides into nucleic acids, causes chromosomal damage, and arrests the cell cycle in G 2. Although valrubicin does not bind strongly to DNA, valrubicin metabolites interfere with the normal DNA breaking-resealing action of DNA topoisomerase II.


Who Should Not Use this medicine ?[edit | edit source]

This medicine cannot be used in patients with:


What drug interactions can this medicine cause?[edit | edit source]

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.


Is this medicine FDA approved?[edit | edit source]

  • It was approved as a therapy of bladder cancer in the United States 1998, was removed in 2002 because of manufacturing issues, but reintroduced in 2009.


How should this medicine be used?[edit | edit source]

Recommended dosage:

Administration:

  • Valrubicin comes as a solution (liquid) to be infused (injected slowly) through a catheter (small flexible plastic tube) into your bladder while you are lying down.
  • Valrubicin solution is given by a doctor or a health care provider in a medical office, hospital, or clinic.
  • It is usually given once a week for 6 weeks.
  • You should keep the medication in your bladder for 2 hours or as long as possible.
  • At the end of 2 hours you will empty your bladder.
  • If any valrubicin solution leaks out of the bladder and gets on your skin, the area should be cleaned with soap and water.
  • Spills on the floor should be cleaned with undiluted bleach.
  • Drink plenty of fluids after receiving your treatment with valrubicin.


What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?[edit | edit source]

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

  • As Injection: 200 mg/5 mL in single-use vials

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

  • VALSTAR


What side effects can this medication cause?[edit | edit source]

The most common side effects of this medicine include:


What special precautions should I follow?[edit | edit source]

  • Inform patients that VALSTAR has been shown to induce complete response in only about 1 in 5 patients. Delaying cystectomy can lead to development of metastatic bladder cancer, which is lethal.
  • Evaluate the bladder before the intravesical instillation of drug and do not administer VALSTAR to patients with a perforated bladder or to those in whom the integrity of the bladder mucosa has been compromised.
  • To avoid systemic exposure to VALSTAR for the patients undergoing TURB, evaluate the status of the bladder before the intravesical instillation of drug.
  • Use VALSTAR with caution in patients with severe irritable bladder symptoms.
  • Based on findings in animal studies and its mechanism of action, VALSTAR can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with VALSTAR and for 6 months following the final dose.
  • Advise females not to breastfeed during treatment with VALSTAR and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
  • Inform patients that for the first 24 hours following administration, red-tinged urine is typical.
  • Instruct patients to maintain adequate hydration following VALSTAR treatment.


What to do in case of emergency/overdose?[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of overdosage may include:

  • irritable bladder
  • If significant systemic exposure occurs following intravesical administration (e.g., in patients with bladder rupture/perforation) myelosuppression may occur.

Management of overdosage:

  • In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.


Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?[edit | edit source]

  • Based on findings in animal studies and its mechanism of action, VALSTAR can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant females.
  • There are no available data in pregnant females to inform the drug-associated risk.
  • Advise females who are or might become pregnant of the potential risk to a fetus.


Can this medicine be used in children?[edit | edit source]

  • Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.


What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Active ingredient:

  • VALRUBICIN

Inactive ingredients:

  • ALCOHOL
  • POLYOXYL 35 CASTOR OIL
  • NITROGEN


Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?[edit | edit source]

Distributed by:

Manufactured by:

  • VALSTAR is a trademark of Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.


What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?[edit | edit source]

  • Store vials under refrigeration at 2°-8°C (36°-46°F) in the carton.
  • DO NOT FREEZE.


Alphabetic list of antineoplastic agents - 0-9 - A1 - A2 - A3 - A4 - A5 -A6 - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - JK - L - M - NO - PQ - R - S - T - UVW - XYZ


Valrubicin Resources
Wikipedia

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Deepika vegiraju