Ixabepilone, Injection iks-ab-EP-ih-lone

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: ixabepilone, injection; Ixempra

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat breast cancer when other anticancer medicines are not effective. It may be used alone or in combination with other cancer medicines.

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine, food, preservative, or dye
• bleeding problems or a blood disorder
• diabetes
• heart disease
• liver problems
• peripheral neuropathy (burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet)

Tell your provider if you have recently had chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Also tell your provider if you have any kind of infection.

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

You may be given these infusions in your healthcare provider's office or at a clinic. This medicine is usually given once every 3 weeks. Each infusion will take about 3 hours. Keep all appointments.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

You may have numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands or feet while receiving this medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms. Your dose may need to be decreased or treatment stopped until your symptoms get better.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands or feet; swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs, or any unexplained swelling; unexplained fever, chills, or cough; chest pain; pounding heartbeat; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness.

Other: Diarrhea; constipation; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain; loss of appetite; dizziness; tiredness; rash; joint and muscle pain; hair loss; headache; sores on the lip or in the mouth; skin redness, soreness, or peeling on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tabs, E.E.S.), isoniazid, metronidazole (Flagyl), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin), and telithromycin (Ketek)
• antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
• antifungal medicines such as clotrimazole, fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Monistat, Micatin), and voriconazole (VFEND)
• anti-HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• capecitabine (Xeloda) (do NOT take this medicine if you are taking capecitabine)
• dexamethasone
• heart medicines such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), quinidine, and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin)
• St. John's wort

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Grapefruit affects the way this medicine works and may increase the risk of side effects.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.