Ixempra

What is Ixempra?

Ixempra is an injectable cancer medication. Ixempra can be used to treat advanced cancerous breasts. Ixempra can be used with another cancer drug called capecitabine. Ixempra is usually given when other treatments have failed.

Warnings

If you have liver issues, Ixempra should not be used with capecitabine. Ixempra should not be used if you're pregnant. It can harm an unborn child. Ixempra should not be taken if you have an allergy to ixabepilone or a medication called Cremophor. Ixempra may not be available to you if your liver is severely ill or if your platelets and white blood cells are low.

Tell your doctor before you take Ixempra if you suffer from liver disease, heart problems, nerve disorders, diabetes, bone-marrow suppression, or a weak immune system.

Ixabepilone may increase your risk of bleeding or infection. If you experience unusual bruising and bleeding or new signs (fever, chills, or easy bruising; unusual bleeding or burning when you urinate), call your doctor.

If you experience any signs of infection, such as fevers, chills, body aches, or flu symptoms, Also, if your skin is pale, bruising, bleeding, or sores appear in your mouth or throat, tell your doctor immediately. You should not drink alcohol while you are taking Ixempra.

Before you take this drug

Ixempra should not be used if you have an allergy to Cremophor, a synthetic castor oil.

You may be unable to receive Ixempra if:

• If you have liver problems and also take capecitabine,
• Low platelet or white blood cell counts

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Ixempra will be safe for you:

• Liver disease
• Heart disease
• Nerve problems (especially in the hands or feet);
• Diabetes
• A weak immune system or bone marrow suppression can be the cause of a weakened immune system.

Ixabepilone can harm an unborn child. Prevent pregnancy by using effective birth control, and inform your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant. Ixempra should not be used while breastfeeding.

How to take Ixempra?

Ixempra can be infused into a vein. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider. Ixempra can be given up to three times per week. Mixempra should be administered slowly. An infusion may take up to three hours.

You may receive other medications about an hour before receiving Ixempra to prevent certain side effects. Ixabepilone increases your risk of bleeding and infection. You will be required to undergo frequent medical testing. The results of your tests may delay cancer treatment.

Details on dosage

Adult dose for breast cancer:

40 mg/m2 intravenously over three hours, every three weeks (the dosage should be calculated on the basis of a BSA greater than 2.2 m2).
Comments:
Premedicate patients about 1 hour before administration to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
If a patient has a hypersensitivity response in a cycle, you should premedicate subsequent cycles using a corticosteroid. (For example, dexamethasone 30 mg IV or 60 minutes orally prior to infusion of this drug) in addition to H2 inhibitors. Consider extending the infusion period.
Uses:
Anthracycline resistance can be defined as any progression while on therapy or within 6 months for adjuvant settings and 3 months in metastatic settings. Anthracycline resistance is defined as progression during therapy or within six months of the adjuvant or metastatic setting. Taxane resistance can be defined as progression during therapy or within 12 months in the adjuvant or metastatic setting.
As monotherapy in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer or locally advanced disease, when tumours are resistant to or refractory against anthracyclines (taxanes), capecitabine, or both.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you missed your Ixempra appointment, call your doctor to get instructions.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdoses are unlikely because this medicine is administered by a health professional in a medical environment.

What should be avoided?

Avoid alcohol consumption. Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you. You may be unable to react properly.

Grapefruit can interact with ixabepilone, causing unwanted side effects. Avoid grapefruit products. Avoid being around people who are sick or infectious, and report any symptoms to your physician immediately.

Side effects of Ixempra

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention: itching; hives; rash; feeling faint or dizzy; warmth or tingly sensation; chest tightness; difficulty breathing; pounding or fluttering heartbeats; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; or swelling of the throat, face, or mouth.

If you experience:

• You may experience numbness or tingling in any part of your body, as well as burning pain and discomfort.
• Pain or burning after urinating;
• Unusual weight gain
• Pain, blisters, bruising, or a severe rash in the palms or soles of the feet
• Chest pain and difficulty breathing
• If you feel your heart pounding or your chest fluttering, then this is a sign that it's time to seek medical attention.
• Low blood cell counts: fever, chills, and tiredness; mouth sores or skin sores; easy bruising or bleeding; pale skin, hands, or feet.
• Signs of a Blood Clot: sudden numbness, weakness, difficulty with speech or vision, swelling, or redness on an arm or leg.

Ixempra may cause side effects such as:

• Blisters or severe rash in the palms or soles of the feet or hands;
• Headache;
• Tiredness;
• Joint or muscle pain
• Lip, mouth, and esophageal ulcers
• Hair loss;
• Fever;
• Anaemia is a decrease in platelets.
• Vomiting; nausea; stomach pain; loss of appetite.
• Diarrhoea, constipation,
• You may have problems with your toenails or fingernails.

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.

Interaction with other drug

It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, which can increase side effects and make them less effective.

Many drugs interact with ixabepilone. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions. Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.