Ifex

Generic Name: ifosfamide (eye FOS fah mide)Brand Names: Ifex

What is Ifex (ifosfamide)?

Ifosfamide is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Ifosfamide interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Ifosfamide is used to treat testicular cancer.

Ifosfamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Ifex (ifosfamide)?

Ifosfamide should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of ifosfamide including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat); urinary problems (blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, or increased frequency of urination); neurologic problems (drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, and coma); and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with ifosfamide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ifex (ifosfamide)?

Before taking ifosfamide, tell your doctor if you have:

• had recent vaccinations;

• kidney disease;

• bone marrow problems;

• had radiation or x-ray therapy; or

• been treated with other chemotherapy medicines.

You may not be able to take ifosfamide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Ifosfamide is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that ifosfamide is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not take ifosfamide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Ifosfamide passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take ifosfamide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I take Ifex (ifosfamide)?

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with ifosfamide depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor may suggest taking increased fluid by mouth or intravenously (IV) and may prescribe another drug, such as mesna, to prevent bleeding in the bladder.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with ifosfamide to monitor progress and side effects.

Skin accidentally exposed to ifosfamide should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Your healthcare provider will store ifosfamide injection as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing ifosfamide injection at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of ifosfamide.

What happens if I overdose?

If for any reason an overdose of ifosfamide is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a ifosfamide overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while taking Ifex (ifosfamide)?

Ifosfamide can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with ifosfamide. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

Skin accidentally exposed to ifosfamide injection should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Ifex (ifosfamide) side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);

• blood in the urine;

• lower back or side pain;

• frequent, painful or difficult urination;

• black or tarry stools;

• signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat;

• extreme sleepiness, confusion, hallucination or coma; or

• unusual bleeding or bruising.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

• nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;

• mouth sores;

• diarrhea; or

• temporary hair loss.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Ifex (ifosfamide)?

Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with ifosfamide. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with ifosfamide.

Other medications may interact with ifosfamide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with ifosfamide.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about ifosfamide written for health professionals that you may read.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.05. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:36:43 PM.