Drug Notes

Ixabepilone (By injection)

Ixabepilone (ix-ab-EP-i-lone)

Treats advanced breast cancer. Used alone or with another cancer medicine called capecitabine.

Brand Name(s):

Ixempra

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how ixabepilone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Verapamil, dexamethasone, nefazodone, or St John's wort
  • Antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifabutin, rifampin, telithromycin
  • Medicine to treat fungal infections, such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole
  • Medicine to treat HIV or AIDS, such as amprenavir, atazanavir, delavirdine, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir
  • Medicine to treat seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, or a history of heart disease.
• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
• Cancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.
• This medicine contains alcohol, which may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Burning pain during urination
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet
• Pain, scaling, redness, tenderness, or sores on your hands and feet
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, trouble breathing, tiredness
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Bone, joint, or muscle pain
• Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
• Hair loss
• Loss of appetite, weight loss
• Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017