This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Valchlor
Brand Names: Canada
Ledaga
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat a type of lymphoma that affects the skin.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?
- If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this drug.
This drug may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- If you get this drug in your eyes, it may cause eye problems like eye pain, burns, swelling, or blurred eyesight. Sometimes, blindness and long-lasting eye injury may happen. Do not touch your eyes while using this drug. If you get this drug in your eyes, flush with water for at least 15 minutes and call your doctor.
- Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs or products on your skin. This includes soaps.
- Do not let your skin where the gel was used touch anyone else’s skin while wearing the gel. Cover the treated skin with clothes.
- If anyone else touches the gel, wash the skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and take off any clothing that gets gel on it.
- This drug may add to the chance of getting other skin cancers. Talk with the doctor.
- Have your skin checked. Tell your doctor if you have any skin changes like a new wart, skin sore or reddish bump that bleeds or does not heal, or a change in the color or size of a mole.
- This drug may catch on fire. Do not use near an open flame or while smoking.
- If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
- This drug may affect fertility. This may lead to not being able to get pregnant or father a child. If this happens, it is not known if fertility will go back to normal.
- This drug may cause harm to an unborn baby. If you may become pregnant, you must use a barrier form of birth control like a condom or spermicide. If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.
- If your sex partner may get pregnant, you must use a barrier form of birth control like a condom or spermicide while taking this drug. If your partner gets pregnant, call the doctor right away.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Blisters or sores.
- Redness.
- Swelling.
- Signs of skin infection like oozing, heat, swelling, redness, or pain.
- Skin ulcers.
- A skin lump or growth.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Itching.
- Change in color of skin.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How is this drug best taken?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Do not take this drug by mouth. Use on your skin only. Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
- You will need to take special care when handling this drug. Check with the doctor or pharmacist to see how to handle this drug.
- Wash your hands before and after use. If your hand is the treated area, do not wash your hand after use.
- Caregivers need to wear special gloves when putting on this drug and wash hands after use.
- Put on right away or within 30 minutes after taking this drug out of the refrigerator.
- Put back in the refrigerator right after each use.
- Put on clean, dry skin.
- Put a thin layer on the affected skin.
- Avoid putting on healthy skin.
- Let skin dry for at least 5 minutes before covering with clothing.
- Wait at least 30 minutes after you bathe or shower before putting on this drug.
- Do not bathe, shower, or swim for 4 hours after putting on.
- Avoid fire, flames, or smoking until the gel has dried.
- If using a moisturizer, do not put it on within 2 hours before or 2 hours after putting on this drug.
- Do not use coverings (bandages, dressings, make-up) unless told to do so by the doctor.
- Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Put on a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not put on 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store in a refrigerator. Keep away from food or drink in the refrigerator.
- Put this drug back in the box it came in and put back in the refrigerator after each use.
- Protect from heat or open flame.
- Check with your pharmacist if drug is left at room temperature for more than 1 hour a day.
- Throw away any part not used after 3 months.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-10-08
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