 Receiving ixabepilone (Ixempra)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed ixabepilone, a microtubule inhibitor antineoplastic medication for the treatment of your breast cancer. This medication acts to help destroy tumor cells and to block their ability to make new blood vessels. The brand name of this medication is Ixempra
How you'll receive ixabepilone
This medication must be given as an I.V. infusion over 3 hours every 3 weeks.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you forget a dose, contact your health care provider as soon as possible to discuss your infusion schedule and when the next dose should be given.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness and tingling in the hands or feet.
Less common: allergic reaction, tender and red palms and soles of feet.
What you must know about other medications
Many other medications, including ketoconazole, erythromycin, rifampin, verapamil, and others, can have an effect on how this medication works in your body. Tell all of your health care providers that you're taking these medications so that any potential interactions can be prevented.
Special directions
- Mark a calendar for the dates you'll need to have your infusion.
- You'll be given medications, including an antihistamine and a histamine2 antagonist such as ranitidine before your infusion to help prevent allergic reactions. These medications will be given 1 hour before the infusion. If you have had any allergic reaction to ixabepilone before, you'll also be given a corticosteroid before the infusion.
- Don't use St. John's Wort or drink grapefruit juice while you're taking this medication; serious adverse effects could occur.
- If you become dizzy or drowsy while using this medication, avoid driving or operating machinery until these effects pass.
- Be aware that this medication contains alcohol.
- Take special precautions to avoid infection and injury, and to protect your hands and feet if you experience red and dry hands and feet.
Keep in mind
- You'll need to have your blood checked before starting this medication and periodically during treatment to evaluate the medication's effects and to make any necessary dosage adjustments.
- This medication could harm an unborn baby. You should use contraceptive measures while you're taking this medication. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, consult your health care provider.
- It isn't known how this medication could affect a breastfed baby. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects on an infant, you should use another method of feeding your baby while you're taking this medication.
- Report itching or hives, swollen face or throat, chest pain, difficulty breathing, palpitations, unusual weight gain, pregnancy, signs of infection, and excessive bleeding.
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