Valrubicin (Intravesical)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 27, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Valstar

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Chemical Class: Anthracycline

Uses for valrubicin

Valrubicin is used as a solution that is run through a tube (instilled through a catheter) into the bladder to treat bladder cancer.

Valrubicin is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Before using valrubicin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For valrubicin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to valrubicin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on valrubicin have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of valrubicin in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing the use of valrubicin in the elderly with use in other age groups, valrubicin has been used mostly in patients older than 60 years of age and is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking valrubicin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using valrubicin with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Tasonermin

Using valrubicin with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Hexaminolevulinate
• Margetuximab
• Pertuzumab
• Trastuzumab

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions...