A Milestone Moment: FDA Approves Addyi® for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder in Postmenopausal Women
December 17, 2025
Free CME credits
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
Brand Name :
Valstar
(United States) [Available]Synonyms :
valrubicin
Class :
Antineoplastic Agent
Brand Name :
Valstar
(United States) [Available]Synonyms :
valrubicin
Class :
Antineoplastic Agent
Dosage Forms & Strengths
Intravesical solution
40mg/ml
800
mg
intravesical once per week for about six weeks
Note:
Delayed administration at least two weeks after transurethral resection or fulguration
Retain the drug for two hours in bladder before voiding
After 2hrs patients should void
Dose Adjustments
Renal Dose Adjustments:
No data available
Liver Dose Adjustments:
No data available
measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine, live (Rx)
may diminish the therapeutic effect
measles mumps and rubella vaccine, live
may diminish the therapeutic effect
may diminish the therapeutic effect
smallpox (vaccinia) vaccine, live
may diminish the therapeutic effect
may diminish the therapeutic effect
measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine, live (Rx)
may diminish the therapeutic effect
measles mumps and rubella vaccine, live
may diminish the therapeutic effect
may diminish the therapeutic effect
smallpox (vaccinia) vaccine, live
may diminish the therapeutic effect
may diminish the therapeutic effect
spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide
may enhance the toxic effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism
may enhance the toxic effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism
may enhance the toxic effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism
may enhance the toxic effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism
may enhance the toxic effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism
when both drugs are combined, there may be increased toxicity of valrubicin
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of infection
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of infection
may diminish the pharmacodynamic antagonistic effect of each other when combined
measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine, live
may diminish the pharmacodynamic antagonistic effect of each other when combined
measles mumps and rubella vaccine, live
may diminish the pharmacodynamic antagonistic effect of each other when combined
may diminish the pharmacodynamic antagonistic effect of each other when combined
smallpox (vaccinia) vaccine, live
may diminish the pharmacodynamic antagonistic effect of each other when combined
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of infection
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of infection
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of infection
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects
may diminish the therapeutic effect
may diminish the therapeutic effect
may diminish the therapeutic effect
may diminish the therapeutic effect
may diminish the therapeutic effect
may diminish the therapeutic effect
it may increase the levels of serum concentration of OATP1B1/1B3 (SLCO1B1/1B3) Substrates
it may increase the levels of serum concentration of OATP1B1/1B3 (SLCO1B1/1B3) Substrates
it may increase the levels of serum concentration of OATP1B1/1B3 (SLCO1B1/1B3) Substrates
it may increase the levels of serum concentration of OATP1B1/1B3 (SLCO1B1/1B3) Substrates
it may increase the levels of serum concentration of OATP1B1/1B3 (SLCO1B1/1B3) Substrates
may increase the levels of serum concentration
may increase the levels of serum concentration
may increase the levels of serum concentration
may increase the levels of serum concentration
may increase the levels of serum concentration
may reduce the therapeutic effect of typhoid Vaccine
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may increase the levels of serum concentration
may increase the levels of serum concentration
may increase the levels of serum concentration
may increase the levels of serum concentration
may increase the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the serum concentration
may decrease the serum concentration
Actions and Spectrum:
Action:
Valrubicin disrupts DNA structure by inserting between base pairs, hindering replication and transcription.
Valrubicin inhibits topoisomerase II, essential for DNA replication and repair, leading to DNA breaks accumulation and enhancing its anticancer effects.
Spectrum:
Valrubicin treats superficial bladder cancer, especially carcinoma in situ, unresponsive to other treatments, by being directly instilled into the bladder mucosa.
Frequency defined
>10%
Bladder pain
Bladder spasm
Cystitis
Hematuria
Urinary incontinence
UTI
Urinary urgency
1-10%
Anemia
Back pain
Chest pain
Diarrhea
Headache
Malaise
Pneumonia
Urinary retention
Vomiting
Vasodilation
Frequency not defined
Asthenia
Contraindication/Caution:
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Myelosuppression
Active Infections
Cautions
Cardiac Function
Bone Marrow Suppression
Urinary Tract Infections
Liver disease
Pregnancy warnings:
US FDA pregnancy category: C
Breastfeeding warnings:
The release of the drug into the human breastmilk is known
Pregnancy Categories:
Category A: Satisfactory and well-controlled studies show no risk to the fetus in the first trimester or the later trimester
<b>Category B: No evidence shown of risk to the fetus found in animal reproduction studies, and there are not enough studies on pregnant women
Category C: Adverse effects on the fetus found with evidence in animal reproduction studies and no adequate evidence for a result in humans must take care of potential risks in pregnant women
Category D: There is adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits
Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh risks over benefits Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women
Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category
Pharmacology:
Valrubicin disrupts DNA structure by intercalating between DNA base pairs.
Pharmacodynamics:
Valrubicin kills cancer cells by disrupting DNA processes, inhibiting growth, and causing cell death.
Valrubicin triggers programmed cell death in cancer cells through DNA damage accumulation and signaling pathway activation.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption
To minimise absorption elsewhere, valrubicin is administered directly into the bladder.
Distribution
It stays mainly in the bladder with minimal distribution throughout the body.
Metabolism
The drug metabolism occurs in the liver.
Excretion and Elimination
The drug is excreted primarily through urine, with a small amount in feces.
Administration:
The administration of valrubicin occurs through the process of intravesical instillation.
Patient Information Leaflet
Generic Name: valrubicin (Rx)
Why do we use valrubicin?
Valrubicin is FDA-approved for the treatment of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-refractory carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder.
It is used in the treatment of cancer of the bladder.
Both our subscription plans include Free CME/CPD AMA PRA Category 1 credits.
On course completion, you will receive a full-sized presentation quality digital certificate.
A dynamic medical simulation platform designed to train healthcare professionals and students to effectively run code situations through an immersive hands-on experience in a live, interactive 3D environment.
When you have your licenses, certificates and CMEs in one place, it's easier to track your career growth. You can easily share these with hospitals as well, using your medtigo app.
