Ifosfamide, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: ifosfamide, injection; Ifex

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat germ cell testicular cancer. It is usually given with other medicines. This medicine may also be used for other types of cancer.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of kidney disease.

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is usually not given during pregnancy because it can harm the baby. Do not become pregnant during treatment. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while you are receiving these injections. Do not breast-feed during this treatment.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by your healthcare provider. The infusions are usually given daily for 5 days in a row and repeated every 3 weeks. Sometimes they are given less often. Another medicine is usually given when you receive this medicine to help prevent bladder problems. Keep all your appointments for these infusions.

Drink at least 8 full glasses of liquid for 2 to 3 days before your treatment and each day that you receive the medicine.

What should I watch out for?

You need to have blood and urine tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

This medicine may cause bone marrow problems. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop a fever, chills, sore throat, sores in your mouth or on your lips, bruising, or unusual bleeding. Nausea and vomiting are also common during treatment with this medicine. Contact your healthcare provider if these become severe.

Hair loss is common during treatment. The hair will grow back after treatment stops.

This medicine may make you drowsy, dizzy, confused, and disoriented. Do not drive unless you are fully alert and clearheaded.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to contact your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, mouth or throat, trouble breathing.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe nausea or vomiting, fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, shortness of breath, stomach pain, sores in your mouth or on your lips, blood in your urine, urinating often, pain or burning when you urinate, hallucinations, severe confusion.

Other: Loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, tiredness, dizziness, weakness, drowsiness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• allopurinol (Zyloprim)
• anti-infectives such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-tab), doxycycline (Vibramycin), rifampin (Rifadin), and isoniazid
• antidepressants such as paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), nefazodone, and desipramine (Norpramin)
• antifungal medicines such as fluconazole (Diflucan) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and phenobarbital
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• chloramphenicol
• diclofenac (Voltaren)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• diuretics such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, Oretic), methyclothiazide (Enduron), hydroflumethiazide (Diucardin, Saluron), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), and quinethazone (Hydromox)
• medicines to treat HIV/AIDS such as nevirapine (Viramune), saquinavir (Invirase), and ritonavir (Norvir)
• other medicines to treat cancer such as methotrexate, asparaginase (Elspar), busulfan (Myleran), trastuzumab (Herceptin), and doxorubicin (Rubex, Adriamycin)
• quinidine
• verapamil (Calan, Isoptin).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.