Ifosfamide injection

What is this medicine?

IFOSFAMIDE (eye FOS fa mide) is a chemotherapy drug. It slows the growth of cancer cells. This medicine is used to treat testicular cancer and other cancers.

How should I use this medicine?

This drug is given as an infusion into a vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic by a specially trained health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• chest pain or palpitations

• confusion

• dizziness

• hallucination, loss of contact with reality

• loss of balance or coordination

• nausea, vomiting

• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

• seizures

• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine

• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusually weak or tired, feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever or chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine

• signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

• swelling of the legs or ankles

• tremors

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• changes in vision

• constipation

• decreased hearing

• diarrhea

• hair loss

• headache

• loss of appetite

• loss of memory

• mouth sores

• rash

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• live virus vaccines

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• aprepitant, fosaprepitant

• certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, and ketoconazole

• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin

• grapefruit, grapefruit juice

• rifampin

• St. Johns Wort

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease

• history of irregular heartbeat

• immune system problems

• infection (especially a virus infection such as chickenpox, cold sores, or herpes)

• infections in the bladder, kidneys, or urinary tract

• kidney disease

• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts

• lung or breathing disease, like asthma

• problems urinating

• recent or ongoing radiation therapy

• tingling of the fingers or toes, or other nerve disorder

• an unusual or allergic reaction to ifosfamide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor for checks on your progress. This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Drink water or other fluids as directed. Urinate often, even at night.

In some cases, you may be given additional medicines to help with side effects. Follow all directions for their use.

Call your doctor or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medicine.

Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 6 months after stopping it. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.

This medicine has caused ovarian failure in some women. This medicine may interfere with the ability to have a child. Talk with your doctor or health care professional if you are concerned about your fertility.

This medicine has caused reduced sperm counts in some men. This may interfere with the ability to father a child. You should talk to your doctor or health care professional if you are concerned about your fertility.