Balversa
Generic name: erdafitinib · Brand names: Balversa
Kinase Inhibitor [epc]Information sourced from FDA Structured Product Labeling, updated October 24, 2025.
What is it used for?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE BALVERSA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) with susceptible FGFR3 genetic alterations whose disease has progressed on or after at least one line of prior systemic therapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for BALVERSA . BALVERSA is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) with susceptible FGFR3 genetic alterations whose disease has progressed on or after at least one line of prior systemic therapy. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for BALVERSA. ( 1 , 2.1 ) Limitations of Use BALVERSA is not recommended for the treatment of patients who are eligible for and have not received prior PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor therapy. ( 1 , 14.1 ) Limitations of Use BALVERSA is not recommended for the treatment of patients who are eligible for and have not received prior PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor therapy .
How to take it
Confirm the presence of FGFR3 genetic alterations in tumor specimens prior to initiation of treatment with BALVERSA. Recommended initial dosage: 8 mg orally once daily with a dose increase to 9 mg daily if criteria are met. Swallow whole with or without food.
Patient Selection Select
patients for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with BALVERSA based on the presence of susceptible FGFR3 genetic alterations in tumor specimens as detected by an FDA-approved companion diagnostic . Information on FDA-approved tests for the detection of FGFR3 genetic alterations in urothelial cancer is available at: http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics.
Recommended Dosage and Schedule The
recommended starting dose of BALVERSA is 8 mg (two 4 mg tablets) orally once daily, with a dose increase to 9 mg (three 3 mg tablets) once daily based on tolerability, including hyperphosphatemia, at 14 to 21 days . Swallow tablets whole with or without food. If vomiting occurs any time after taking BALVERSA, the next dose should be taken the next day. Treatment should continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs.
If a dose of BALVERSA is missed, it can be taken as soon as possible on the same day. Resume the regular daily dose schedule for BALVERSA the next day. Extra tablets should not be taken to make up for the missed dose. Dose Increase based on Serum Phosphate Levels Assess serum phosphate levels 14 to 21 days after initiating treatment.
Increase the dose of BALVERSA to 9 mg once daily if serum phosphate level is < 9.0 mg/dL and there are no ocular disorders or Grade 2 or greater adverse reactions. If the phosphate level is 9.0 mg/dL or higher follow the relevant dose modifications in Table 2. Monitor phosphate levels monthly for hyperphosphatemia .
Dose Modifications for Adverse Reactions The
recommended dose modifications for adverse reactions are listed in Table 1. Table 1: BALVERSA Dose Reduction Schedule Dose 1 st dose reduction 2 nd dose reduction 3 rd dose reduction 4 th dose reduction 5 th dose reduction 9 mg ➞ (three 3 mg tablets) 8 mg (two 4 mg tablets) 6 mg (two 3 mg tablets) 5 mg (one 5 mg tablet) 4 mg (one 4 mg tablet) Stop 8 mg ➞ (two 4 mg tablets) 6 mg (two 3 mg tablets) 5 mg (one 5 mg tablet) 4 mg (one 4 mg tablet) Stop Table 2 summarizes recommendations for dose interruption, reduction, or discontinuation of BALVERSA in the management of specific adverse reactions. Table 2: Dose Modifications for Adverse Reactions Adverse Reaction BALVERSA Dose Modification Hyperphosphatemia In all patients, restrict phosphate intake to 600–800 mg daily. <6.99 mg/dL Continue BALVERSA at current dose. 7–8.99 mg/dL Continue BALVERSA at current dose.
Start phosphate binder with food until phosphate level is <7 mg/dL. Reduce the dose if serum phosphate remains ≥7 mg/dL for a period of 2 months or if clinically necessary. 9–10 mg/dL Withhold BALVERSA with weekly reassessments until level returns to <7 mg/dL. Then restart BALVERSA at the same dose level. Start phosphate binder with food until serum phosphate level returns to <7 mg/dL. Reduce the dose if serum phosphate remains ≥9 mg/dL for a period of 1 month or if clinically necessary. >10 mg/dL Withhold BALVERSA with weekly reassessments until level returns to <7 mg/dL. Then may restart BALVERSA at the first reduced dose level. If hyperphosphatemia (≥10 mg/dL) for >2 weeks, discontinue BALVERSA permanently.
Medical management of symptoms as clinically relevant. Serum phosphate with life-threatening consequences; urgent intervention indicated (e.g., dialysis) Discontinue BALVERSA permanently. Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR) Any Withhold BALVERSA and perform an ophthalmic evaluation within 2 weeks: If improving within 14 days, restart BALVERSA at the current dose.
If not improving within 14 days, withhold BALVERSA until improving; once improving, may resume at the next lower dose level. Upon restarting BALVERSA, monitor for recurrence every 1 to 2 weeks for a month. If recurs or has not improved after 4 weeks of withholding BALVERSA, consider permanent discontinuation.
Other Adverse Reactions Dose adjustment graded using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI CTCAEv5.0). Grade 3 Withhold BALVERSA until resolves to Grade 1 or baseline, then may resume dose level lower. Grade 4 Permanently discontinue.
Warnings
Ocular disorders: BALVERSA can cause central serous retinopathy/retinal pigment epithelial detachment (CSR/RPED). Perform monthly ophthalmological examinations during the first four months of treatment, every 3 months afterwards, and at any time for visual symptoms. Withhold BALVERSA when CSR/RPED occurs and permanently discontinue if it does not resolve within 4 weeks or if Grade 4 in severity. ( 2.3 , 5.1 ) Hyperphosphatemia: Increases in phosphate levels are a pharmacodynamic effect of BALVERSA. Monitor for hyperphosphatemia and manage with dose modifications when required. ( 2.3 , 5.2 ) Embryo-fetal toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of the potential risk to the fetus and to use effective contraception ( 5.3 , 8.1 , 8.3)
Ocular Disorders
BALVERSA can cause ocular disorders, including central serous retinopathy/retinal pigment epithelial detachment (CSR/RPED) resulting in visual field defect. In the pooled safety population , CSR/RPED occurred in 22% of patients treated with BALVERSA, with a median time to first onset of 46 days. In 104 patients with CSR, 40% required dose interruptions and 56% required dose reductions; 2.9% of BALVERSA-treated patients required permanent discontinuation for CSR. Of the 24 patients who restarted BALVERSA after dose interruption with or without dose reduction, 67% had recurrence and/or worsening of CSR after restarting.
CSR was ongoing in 41% of the 104 patients at the time of last evaluation. Dry eye symptoms occurred in 26% of BALVERSA-treated patients. All patients should receive dry eye prophylaxis with ocular demulcents as needed. Perform monthly ophthalmological examinations during the first 4 months of treatment and every 3 months afterwards, and urgently at any time for visual symptoms.
Ophthalmological examination should include assessment of visual acuity, slit lamp examination, fundoscopy, and optical coherence tomography. Withhold or permanently discontinue BALVERSA based on severity and/or ophthalmology exam findings .
Hyperphosphatemia and Soft Tissue Mineralization
BALVERSA can cause hyperphosphatemia leading to soft tissue mineralization, cutaneous calcinosis, non-uremic calciphylaxis and vascular calcification. Increases in phosphate levels are a pharmacodynamic effect of BALVERSA . In the pooled safety population , increased phosphate occurred in 73% of BALVERSA-treated patients. The median onset time of increased phosphate was 16 days (range: 8–421) after initiating BALVERSA. Twenty-four percent of patients received phosphate binders during treatment with BALVERSA. Vascular calcification was observed in 0.2% of patients treated with BALVERSA. Monitor for hyperphosphatemia throughout treatment.
Restrict dietary phosphate intake (600–800 mg daily) and avoid concomitant use of agents that may increase serum phosphate levels. If serum phosphate is above 7.0 mg/dL, consider adding an oral phosphate binder until serum phosphate level returns to <7.0 mg/dL. Withhold, dose reduce, or permanently discontinue BALVERSA based on duration and severity of hyperphosphatemia according to Table 2 .
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on the
mechanism of action and findings in animal reproduction studies, BALVERSA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In an embryo-fetal toxicity study, oral administration of erdafitinib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis caused malformations and embryo-fetal death at maternal exposures that were less than the human exposures at the maximum human recommended dose based on area under the curve (AUC). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus.
Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BALVERSA and for one month after the last dose. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BALVERSA and for one month after the last dose .
Who should not take it
None. None.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on the
mechanism of action and findings in animal reproduction studies, BALVERSA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman . There are no available data on BALVERSA use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Oral administration of erdafitinib to pregnant rats during organogenesis caused malformations and embryo-fetal death at maternal exposures that were less than the human exposures at the maximum recommended human dose based on AUC . Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.
All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In an embryo-fetal toxicity study, erdafitinib was orally administered to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis.
Doses ≥4 mg/kg/day (at total maternal exposures <0.1% of total human exposures at the maximum recommended human dose based on AUC) produced embryo-fetal death, major blood vessel malformations and other vascular anomalies, limb malformations (ectrodactyly, absent or misshapen long bones), an increased incidence of skeletal anomalies in multiple bones (vertebrae, sternebrae, ribs), and decreased fetal weight.
Side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are also described elsewhere in the labeling: Ocular Disorders . Hyperphosphatemia . The most common (>20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were increased phosphate, nail disorders, stomatitis, diarrhea, increased creatinine, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased alanine aminotransferase, decreased hemoglobin, decreased sodium, increased aspartate aminotransferase, fatigue, dry mouth, dry skin, decreased phosphate, decreased appetite, dysgeusia, constipation, increased calcium, dry eye, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, increased potassium, alopecia, and central serous retinopathy. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Janssen Products, LP. at 1-800-526-7736 (1-800-JANSSEN and www.BALVERSA.com) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
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 to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The pooled safety population described in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS reflects exposure to BALVERSA as a single agent at the recommended dose (8 to 9 mg orally daily) in 479 patients with advanced urothelial cancer and FGFR alterations in 42756493BLC3001 (NCT03390504), 42756493BLC2001 (NCT02365597), 42756493BLC2002 (NCT 03473743), and 42756493EDI1001 (NCT01703481). Among 479 patients who received BALVERSA, the median duration of treatment was 4.8 months (range: 0.1 to 43 months).
In this pooled safety population, the most common (>20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were increased phosphate, nail disorders, stomatitis, diarrhea, increased creatinine, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased alanine aminotransferase, decreased hemoglobin, decreased sodium, increased aspartate aminotransferase, fatigue, dry mouth, dry skin, decreased phosphate, decreased appetite, dysgeusia, constipation, increased calcium, dry eye, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, increased potassium, alopecia, and central serous retinopathy. BLC3001 The safety of BALVERSA was evaluated in Cohort 1 of the BLC3001 study that included patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma which had susceptible FGFR3 genetic alterations and were previously treated with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor . Patients received either BALVERSA (8 mg orally once daily with individualized up-titration to 9 mg) (n=135) or chemotherapy (docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 once every 3 weeks or vinflunine 320 mg/m 2 once every 3 weeks) (n=112). Among patients who received BALVERSA, median duration of treatment was 4.8 months (range: 0.2 to 38 months).
Serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients who received BALVERSA. Serious reactions in >2% of patients included urinary tract infection (4.4%), hematuria (3.7%), hyponatremia (2.2%), and acute kidney injury (2.2%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4.4% of patients who received BALVERSA, including sudden death (1.5%), pneumonia (1.5%), renal failure (0.7%), and cardiorespiratory arrest (0.7%). Permanent discontinuation of BALVERSA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 14% of patients.
Adverse reactions which resulted in permanent discontinuation of BALVERSA in >2% of patients included nail disorders (3%) and eye disorders (2.2%). Dosage interruptions of BALVERSA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 72% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dosage interruption in >4% of patients included nail disorders (22%), stomatitis (19%), eye disorders (16%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (15%), diarrhea (10%), hyperphosphatemia (7%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (6%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (5%).
Dose reductions of BALVERSA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 69% of patients. Adverse reactions which required dose reductions in >4% of patients included nail disorders (27%), stomatitis (19%), eye disorders (17%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (12%), diarrhea (7%), dry mouth (4.4%), and hyperphosphatemia (4.4%). Table 3 presents adverse reactions reported in ≥15% of patients treated with BALVERSA at 8 or 9 mg once daily versus chemotherapy.
Table 3: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥15% of Patients Who Received BALVERSA Versus Chemotherapy (Study BLC3001) Adverse Reaction BALVERSA (N=135) Chemotherapy (N=112) All Grades (%) Grade 3–4 (%) All Grades (%) Grade 3–4 (%) Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Nail disorders Includes multiple terms 70 12 5 0 Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome 30 10 0.9 0 Dry skin 27 1.5 6 0 Alopecia 25 0.7 24 0 Gastrointestinal disorders Diarrhea 63 3 17
Stomatitis
56 10 18
Dry Mouth
39 0 3.6 0 Constipation 27 0 28
Nervous
system disorders Dysgeusia 30 0.7 7 0 General disorders Fatigue 29 1.5 42 7 Metabolism and nutrition disorders Decreased appetite 27 3 21
Eye
disorders Dry eye 25 0.7 3.6 0 Central serous retinopathy 18 2.2 0 0 Investigations Decreased weight 22 2 2.7 0 Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <15% of patients who received BALVERSA included nausea (15%), pyrexia (15%), epistaxis (13%), vomiting (10%), and arthralgia (10%). Table 4 presents laboratory abnormalities reported in ≥15% of patients treated with BALVERSA at 8 or 9 mg once daily versus chemotherapy. Table 4: Selected Laboratory Abnormalities Reported in ≥15% of Patients Who Received BALVERSA Versus Chemotherapy; Cohort 1 Safety Analysis Set (Study BLC3001) Laboratory Abnormality BALVERSA (N=135 The denominator used to calculate the rate varied from 52 to 131 based on the number of patients with a baseline value and at least one post-treatment value. ) Chemotherapy (N=112 The denominator used to calculate the rate varied from 11 to 102 based on the number of patients with a baseline value and at least one post-treatment value. ) All Grades Severity graded per NCI CTCAE v4.03. (%) Grade 3–4 (%) All Grades (%) Grade 3–4 (%) Chemistry Increased phosphate 76 5 0 0 Increased alkaline phosphatase 54 4.7 29 1 Increased alanine aminotransferase 46 3.8 15 1 Increased aspartate aminotransferase 44 3.1 13 0 Decreased sodium 44 16 25 6 Increased creatinine 43 1.5 17 0 Decreased phosphate 34 8 25
Increased
calcium 27 8 9 0 Increased potassium 24 0 21 0 Hematology Decreased hemoglobin 50 12 57 12 Decreased platelet count 17 1.5 18 1 Decreased neutrophil count 16 0.8 40 26 BLC2001 The safety of BALVERSA was evaluated in the BLC2001 study that included 87 patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma which had susceptible FGFR3 and other FGFR alterations, and which progressed during or following at least one line of prior chemotherapy including within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy . Patients were treated with BALVERSA at 8 mg orally once daily; with a dose increase to 9 mg in patients with phosphate levels <5.5 mg/dL on Day 14 of Cycle 1. Median duration of treatment was 5.3 months (range: 0 to 17 months). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients.
The most frequent (>3%) serious adverse reactions were central serous retinopathy (4.6%), urinary tract infection (3.4%), and general physical health deterioration (3.4%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 8% of patients, including acute myocardial infarction (1.1%). Permanent discontinuation of BALVERSA due to an adverse reaction occurred in 21% of patients.
The most frequent (≥ 2%) reasons for permanent discontinuation included central serous retinopathy (4.6%), general physical health deterioration (3.4%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (2.3%), acute kidney injury (2.3%), and fatigue (2.3%). Dosage interruptions of BALVERSA occurred in 68% of patients. The most frequent (≥ 5%) adverse reactions requiring dosage interruption included hyperphosphatemia (24%), stomatitis (17%), nail disorders (16%), central serous retinopathy (9%), palmar-plantar erythro-dysesthesia syndrome (8%), and fatigue (8%).
Dose reductions of BALVERSA occurred in 53% of patients. The most frequent (≥ 5%) adverse reactions for dose reductions included nail disorders (21%), stomatitis (15%), central serous retinopathy (14%), hyperphosphatemia (7%), palmar-plantar erythro-dysesthesia syndrome (7%), fatigue (6%), and blurred vision (6%). Table 5 presents adverse reactions reported in ≥15% of patients treated with BALVERSA at 8 mg or 9 mg once daily.
Table 5: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥15% of Patients (Study BLC2001) Adverse Reaction BALVERSA 8 mg daily (N=87) All Grades (%) Grade 3–4 (%) Gastrointestinal disorders Stomatitis Includes multiple terms 62 11 Diarrhea 48
Dry
mouth 45 0 Constipation 28
Nausea
21
Skin and
subcutaneous tissue disorders Nail disorders 62 14 Dry skin 37 0 Alopecia 26 0 Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome 26 6 General disorders and admin. site conditions Fatigue , Includes fatal adverse reactions (n=2) 54 8 Decreased weight 16 0 Metabolism and nutrition disorders Decreased appetite 38
Nervous
system disorders Dysgeusia 38
Eye
disorders Dry eye 29
Central
serous retinopathy 28
Blurred
vision 17 0 Infections and Infestations Urinary tract infection 17 6 Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <15% of patients who received BALVERSA included pyrexia (14%), extremity pain (13%), vomiting (13%), and peripheral edema (10%). Table 6 presents laboratory abnormalities reported in ≥15% of patients treated with BALVERSA at 8 mg or 9 mg once daily. Table 6: Selected Laboratory Abnormalities Reported in ≥ 15% of Patients Laboratory Abnormality BALVERSA 8 mg daily (N=87 The denominator used to calculate the rate varied from 83 to 86 based on the number of patients with a baseline value and at least one post-treatment value. ) All Grades (%) Grade 3–4 (%) Chemistry Increased phosphate 76
Increased
creatinine 52
Increased
alanine aminotransferase 41
Increased
alkaline phosphatase 41
Decreased
sodium 40 16 Decreased magnesium 31
Increased
aspartate aminotransferase 30 0 Decreased phosphate 24 9 Increased calcium 22
Hematology Decreased
hemoglobin 35
Decreased
platelets 19
Decreased
leukocytes 17 0
All information on this site is provided “as-is” for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should consult with a medical professional if you have any questions about your health. Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling.