Note: This document contains side effect information about valrubicin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Valstar.

Summary

Common side effects of Valstar include: cystitis, bladder pain, bladder spasm, dysuria, hematuria, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, and urinary urgency. Other side effects include: nocturia. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to valrubicin: intravesical solution.

Serious side effects of Valstar

Along with its needed effects, valrubicin (the active ingredient contained in Valstar) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Other side effects of Valstar

Some side effects of valrubicin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Blood in urine
• loss of bladder control
• painful or difficult urination
• red color in urine
• strong urge to urinate
• unusually frequent urination

Less common

• Increased urination at night
• local burning sensation

Rare

• Frequent urge to defecate
• itching
• loss of sense of taste

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to valrubicin: intravesical solution.

Local

Local adverse reactions associated with valrubicin (the active ingredient contained in Valstar) usually occurred during or shortly after instillate and resolve within one to seven days after the instillation is removed from the bladder.^[Ref]

Very common (10% or more): Any local bladder symptom (88%)

Common (1% to 10%): Procedure related local burning symptoms^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Very common (10% or more): Urinary frequency (61%), urinary urgency (57%), dysuria (56%), bladder spasm (31%), hematuria (29%), bladder pain (28%), urinary incontinence (22%), urinary tract infection (15%), cystitis (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Nocturia, urinary retention, microscopic hematuria, urethral pain, pelvic pain, gross hematuria

Frequency not reported: Poor urine flow, urethritis^[Ref]

General

The most common side effects were local bladder symptoms, including urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and dysuria.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence

Frequency not reported: Tenesmus^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness

Frequency not reported: Taste loss^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash

Frequency not reported: Pruritus, local skin irritation^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Vasodilation^[Ref]

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Anemia^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperglycemia, peripheral edema

Frequency not reported: Nonprotein nitrogen increased^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, myalgia^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, malaise, chest pain, fever