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What is Valrubicin
Valrubicin is a semisynthetic analog of doxorubicin indicated for intravesical therapy of BCG-resistant carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder in patients for whom immediate cystectomy would be associated with unacceptable morbidity or mortality.
It has been shown to induce complete response in only about 1 in 5 patients with BCG-refractory CIS; delaying cystectomy to receive valrubicin may lead to development of metastatic bladder cancer, although the risk of such a delay is difficult to detect.
Valrubicin is contraindicated in patients with a perforated bladder or active urinary tract infection, as systemic exposure is significantly increased when the integrity of the bladder wall is compromised; administration should be delayed for at least 2 weeks after transurethral resection and/or fulguration.
It is also contraindicated in patients with a small bladder capacity unable to tolerate a 75 mL instillation, as spontaneous discharge of the instillate may occur
Brand Name
Valstar
Indications
- bladder cancer
For the treatment of BCG-refractory bladder cancer in situ (CIS) in patients for whom immediate cystectomy would be associated with unacceptable morbidity or mortality
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- anemia
- asthenia
- back pain
- bladder spasm
- chest pain (unspecified)
- cystitis
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dysuria
- fever
- flatulence
- headache
- hematuria
- hyperglycemia
- increased urinary frequency
- infection
- leukopenia
- malaise
- myalgia
- nausea
- neutropenia
- nocturia
- pelvic pain
- peripheral edema
- peripheral vasodilation
- pruritus
- rash
- skin irritation
- tenesmus
- urethral pain
- urinary incontinence
- urinary retention
- urinary urgency
- urine discoloration
- vomiting
Monitoring Parameters
- laboratory monitoring not necessary
Contraindications
- anthracycline hypersensitivity
- bladder cancer
- bladder perforation
- breast-feeding
- contraception requirements
- infertility
- irritable bladder
- male-mediated teratogenicity
- polyoxyethylated castor oil hypersensitivity
- pregnancy
- reproductive risk
- urinary tract infection (UTI)
Interactions
There are no drug interactions associated with Valrubicin products.
