Ifex

Generic name: Ifosfamide
Drug class: Alkylating agents

Usage of Ifex

Ifex is used with other medicines to treat testicular cancer in men.

Ifex is usually given after other treatments have failed.

Ifex may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ifex side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

fever, chills, flu symptoms;

mouth and throat ulcers;

skin sores, pale skin, cold hands and feet;

easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

rapid heart rate, shallow breathing; or

feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects:

confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions);

little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, blood in your urine;

loss of bladder control;

a seizure;

muscle movements you cannot control;

problems with your hearing or vision, ringing in your ears;

sudden chest pain, wheezing, dry cough;

dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

a wound that will not heal.

Common side effects of Ifex may include:

nausea and vomiting;

confusion, vision problems, thinking problems;

numbness, tingling, burning pain;

infections;

urination problems; or

hair loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Ifex

You should not be treated with Ifex if you are allergic to it, or if you have a medical condition that causes urination problems (such as an enlarged prostate).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease;

heart disease;

a bladder infection;

treatment with Busulfan; or

radiation treatment of your bladder.

Using Ifex may increase your risk of developing other cancers, such as leukemia. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Ifex can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy.

Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, whether you are a man or a woman. Ifex use by either parent may cause birth defects. Keep using birth control for at least 6 months after treatment.

This medication may affect fertility (your ability to have children), whether you are a man or a woman. Some women using Ifex have stopped having periods, or started having symptoms of early menopause.

A woman receiving Ifex should not breast-feed.

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How to use Ifex

Your doctor will perform blood and urine tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using Ifex.

Ifex is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

If this medicine accidentally gets on your skin, wash it thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Ifex is given in a 21-day treatment cycle, but you will receive the medicine only during the first 5 days of each cycle. Your doctor will determine how many cycles you should receive.

Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking Ifex.

Your blood will need to be tested often. Your heart, kidney function, liver function, or nerve and muscle function may also need to be checked. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Ifex can have long lasting effects on your body. You may also need medical tests for a short time after your last dose.

Warnings

You should not receive Ifex if you have a medical condition that causes urination problems (such as an enlarged prostate).

Ifex affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have a fever, chills, cough, mouth sores, or unusual bleeding or bruising.

Ifex can affect your kidneys or nervous system. Call your doctor at once if you have urination problems, blood in your urine, problems with your hearing or vision, unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, or a seizure.

What other drugs will affect Ifex

Using Ifex with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the SAMe time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can affect Ifex. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com'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. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com 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.