Ifosfamide

Generic name: Ifosfamide
Brand names: Ifex
Drug class: Alkylating agents

Usage of Ifosfamide

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

Ifosfamide is usually given after other treatments have failed.

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

Ifosfamide 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 ifosfamide 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 Ifosfamide

You should not be treated with ifosfamide 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 ifosfamide may increase your risk of developing other cancers, such as leukemia. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Ifosfamide 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. Ifosfamide 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 ifosfamide have stopped having periods, or started having symptoms of early menopause.

A woman receiving ifosfamide should not breast-feed.

Relate drugs

How to use Ifosfamide

Usual Adult Dose for Testicular Cancer:

1.2 g/m2 IV over at least 30 minutes daily for 5 consecutive days; repeat every 3 weeks or after recovery from hematologic toxicity Comments:-To prevent bladder toxicity, this drug should be given with extensive hydration (at least 2 liters of oral or IV fluid daily). -Mesna should be used to reduce hemorrhagic cystitis. Use: For use in combination with other antineoplastic agents for third-line chemotherapy of germ cell testicular cancer

Warnings

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

Ifosfamide 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.

Ifosfamide 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 Ifosfamide

Using ifosfamide 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 ifosfamide. 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

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