Pronunciation: val-ROO-bi-sin
Generic Name: Valrubicin
Brand Name: Valstar
Valstar is used for:
Treating certain types of bladder cancer in certain patients.
Valstar is an anthracycline cytotoxic agent. It works by preventing the cancer cell from reproducing, which results in death of the cancer cell.
Do NOT use Valstar if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Valstar (including polyoxyl castor oil) or to other anthracycline medicines (eg, daunorubicin)
- you have a urinary tract infection, a hole in your bladder (eg, perforation or rupture), or problems with the lining of your bladder
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Valstar:
Some medical conditions may interact with Valstar. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have bone marrow problems, kidney problems, or severe irritable bladder
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Valstar. Because little, if any, of Valstar is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.
Ask your health care provider if Valstar may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Valstar:
Use Valstar as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Valstar is usually administered at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
- If Valstar contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
- Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Valstar is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
- If you miss a dose of Valstar, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Valstar.
Important safety information:
- Valstar may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Valstar with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- If you get Valstar on your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water. If you get Valstar in your eye, flush the eye with water.
- Valstar may cause the urine to turn pink or red for the first 24 hours after you receive it. This is harmless and not a cause for concern. If the discoloration continues for more than 24 hours, contact your doctor right away.
- Men should not father a child while being treated with Valstar. Men should avoid having sex with a woman who may become pregnant while using Valstar. Use an effective method of birth control. Check with your doctor if you have questions about using birth control.
- Women should not become pregnant while being treated with Valstar. Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with Valstar. Check with your doctor if you have questions about using birth control.
- Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, bladder exams, and urine tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Valstar should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: Valstar may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Valstar while you are pregnant. It is not known if Valstar is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Valstar.
Possible side effects of Valstar:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Bladder pain or spasm; burning or discomfort of the urethra; headache; irritable bladder symptoms (eg, frequent or painful urination, urgent need to urinate); loss of bladder control; mild dizziness, weakness, or tiredness; nausea; stomach pain.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; hives; itching; rash; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; tightness in the chest); blood in the urine; chest pain; fever; inability to urinate; persistent red discoloration of the urine; severe or persistent bladder pain or spasms; severe or persistent painful urination, trouble urinating, or urinary urgency.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Valstar side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chills, fever, or sore throat; persistent red discoloration of the urine; severe or persistent bladder pain or spasms; severe or persistent painful urination, trouble urinating, or urinary urgency.
Proper storage of Valstar:
Valstar is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Valstar at home, store Valstar as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Valstar out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Valstar, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Valstar is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Valstar. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Valstar resources
- Valstar Side Effects (in more detail)
- Valstar Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Valstar Drug Interactions
- Valstar Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Valstar - Add your own review/rating
- Valstar Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Valstar Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- Valstar Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Valrubicin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Valstar with other medications
- Urinary Tract Tumors
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