Ixabepilone injection

What is this medicine?

IXABEPILONE (IX ab EP i lone) is a chemotherapy drug. It is used to treat advanced breast cancer.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

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

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• fever or chills, sore throat

• mouth sores

• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

• swelling of the legs or ankles

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• unusually weak or tired

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

• diarrhea

• hair loss

• headache

• loss of appetite

• muscle or joint pain

• nausea, vomiting

• stomach pain

• trouble sleeping

• weak or tired

What may interact with this medicine?

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

• disulfiram

• grapefruit or grapefruit juice

• metronidazole

• St. John's wort

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• carbamazepine

• clarithromycin

• dexamethasone

• erythromycin

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

• nefazodone

• phenobarbital

• phenytoin

• rifabutin

• rifampicin

• rifampin

• telithromycin

• verapamil

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:

• diabetes

• drug abuse or addiction

• heart disease

• if you frequently drink alcohol containing drinks

• immune system problems

• liver disease

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

• peripheral neuropathy

• an unusual or allergic reaction to ixabepilone, Cremophor(R) EL, polyoxyethylated castor oil, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

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.

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. 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 product may contain alcohol. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if this medicine contains alcohol. Be sure to tell all healthcare providers you are taking this medicine. Certain medicines, like metronidazole and disulfiram, can cause an unpleasant reaction when taken with alcohol. The reaction includes flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and increased thirst. The reaction can last from 30 minutes to several hours.