Ixabepilone injection

What is this medication?

IXABEPILONE (ix ab EP i lone) is a chemotherapy medicine. It treats breast cancer.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Ixempra

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Low blood counts—white cells or platelets
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
• An unusual or allergic reaction to ixabepilone, Cremophor EL, polyoxyethylated castor oil, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team regarding the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following medications:

• Disulfiram
• Live virus vaccines

This medication may also interact with the following medications:

• Certain antibiotics called macrolides like erythromycin or clarithromycin
• Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
• Certain medications for fungal infections like ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole
• Certain medications for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• Grapefruit or grapefruit juice
• St. John's Wort

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

This medication may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your care team tells you to stop.

This medication can cause serious allergic reactions. To reduce the risk, your care team may give you other medications to take before receiving this one. Be sure to follow the directions from your care team.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

Avoid taking medications that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your care team. These medications may hide a fever.

Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medication.

Some products may contain alcohol. Ask your care team if this medication contains alcohol. Be sure to tell all prescribers you are taking this medication. Certain medications, such as metronidazole and disulfiram, can cause an unpleasant reaction when taken with alcohol. The reaction includes flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and increased thirst. The reaction can last from 30 minutes to several hours.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medication or for 7 months after stopping it. Women should inform their care team if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medication and for 4 months after stopping it. There is potential for serious harm to an unborn child. Talk to your care team for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medication or for 2 weeks after stopping it.

This medication may make it more difficult to get pregnant or father a child. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heart beat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
• Infection—Fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
• Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Low red blood cell count—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Nausea
• Pain, redness, or swelling with sores inside the mouth or throat
• Redness, blistering, peeling, bleeding, or swelling of the skin on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
• Severe joint pain
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.