VALCHLOR SIDE EFFECTS
- Generic Name: mechlorethamine gel
- Brand Name: Valchlor
- Drug Class: Antineoplastics, Alkylating, Dermatologics, Other
SIDE EFFECTS
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the prescribing information:
- Mucosal or eye injury
- Secondary exposure to VALCHLOR
- Dermatitis
- Non-melanoma skin cancer
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
In a randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial, VALCHLOR 0.016% (equivalent to 0.02% mechlorethamine HCl) was compared to an Aquaphor®-based mechlorethamine HCl 0.02% ointment (Comparator). The maximum duration of treatment was 12 months. Sixty-three percent (63%) of patients in the VALCHLOR arm and 67% in the comparator arm completed 12 months of treatment.
The body system associated with the most frequent adverse reactions was skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders. The most common adverse reactions (occurring in at least 5% of the patients) are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Most Commonly Reported (≥5%) Cutaneous Adverse Reactions
| VALCHLOR N=128 % of patients |
Comparator N=127 % of patients |
|||
| Any Grade | Moderately-Severe or Severe | Any Grade | Moderately-Severe or Severe | |
| Dermatitis | 56 | 23 | 58 | 17 |
| Pruritus | 20 | 4 | 16 | 2 |
| Bacterial skin infection | 11 | 2 | 9 | 2 |
| Skin ulceration or blistering | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Skin hyperpigmentation | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
In the clinical trial, moderately-severe to severe skin-related adverse events were managed with treatment reduction, suspension, or discontinuation. Discontinuations due to adverse reactions occurred in 22% of patients treated with VALCHLOR and 18% of patients treated with the comparator. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of the discontinuations for adverse reactions occurred within the first 90 days of treatment. Temporary treatment suspension occurred in 34% of patients treated with VALCHLOR and 20% of patients treated with the comparator. Reductions in dosing frequency occurred in 23% of patients treated with VALCHLOR and 12% of patients treated with the comparator.
Reductions in hemoglobin, neutrophil count, or platelet count occurred in 13% of patients treated with VALCHLOR and 17% treated with Comparator.
SRC: NLM .