ifosfamide

Generic Name: ifosfamide (eye FOS fah mide)

Brand Names: Ifex

What is ifosfamide?

Ifosfamide is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Ifosfamide interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Ifosfamide is used to treat testicular cancer.

Ifosfamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about ifosfamide?

Ifosfamide should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of ifosfamide including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat); urinary problems (blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, or increased frequency of urination); neurologic problems (drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, and coma); and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with ifosfamide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ifosfamide?

Before taking ifosfamide, tell your doctor if you have:

• 
  

  had recent vaccinations;

  
  


• kidney disease;


• 
  

  bone marrow problems;

  
  


• 
  

  had radiation or x-ray therapy; or

  
  


• 
  

  been treated with other chemotherapy medicines.

  
  

You may not be able to take ifosfamide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Ifosfamide is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that ifosfamide is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not take ifosfamide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Ifosfamide passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take ifosfamide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.

How should I take ifosfamide?

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with ifosfamide depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor may suggest taking increased fluid by mouth or intravenously (IV) and may prescribe another drug, such as mesna, to prevent bleeding in the bladder.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with ifosfamide to monitor progress and side effects.

Skin accidentally exposed to ifosfamide should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Your healthcare provider will store ifosfamide injection as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing ifosfamide injection at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

See also: Ifosfamide dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of ifosfamide.

What happens if I overdose?

If for any reason an overdose of ifosfamide is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a ifosfamide overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.

What should I avoid while taking ifosfamide?

Ifosfamide can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with ifosfamide. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.

Skin accidentally exposed to ifosfamide injection should be rinsed thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Ifosfamide side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• 
  

  an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);

  
  


• 
  

  blood in the urine;

  
  


• 
  

  lower back or side pain;

  
  


• 
  

  frequent, painful or difficult urination;

  
  


• 
  

  black or tarry stools;

  
  


• 
  

  signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat;

  
  


• 
  

  extreme sleepiness, confusion, hallucination or coma; or

  
  


• 
  

  unusual bleeding or bruising.

  
  

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

• 
  

  nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;

  
  


• 
  

  mouth sores;

  
  


• 
  

  diarrhea; or

  
  


• 
  

  temporary hair loss.

  
  

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Ifosfamide Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Testicular Cancer:

For third line chemotherapy of germ cell testicular cancer:

1.2 g/m2, diluted to 50 mg/mL IV over 30 minutes once a day with mesna (intravenous, oral, or continuous intravenous infusion) just before and 4 and 8 hours after each dose and aggressive (usually IV) hydration (2 to 4 L/day).

Ifosfamide is usually given for 5 days, with 5 day regimens repeated every 3 to 4 weeks, and after recovery from hematologic toxicity.

Usual Adult Dose for Cervical Cancer:

(In combination with other chemotherapeutic agents as a part of the BIP regimen)
5,000 mg/m2 IV over 24 hours on day 2
Cycle repeated every 21 days

(In combination with other chemotherapeutic agents as a part of the BIC regimen)
2,000 mg/m2 IV on days 1 through 3
Cycle repeated every 21 days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Malignant Disease:

1200 to 1800 mg/m2/day for 3 to 5 days every 21 to 28 days

or

5000 mg/m2 as a single 24 hour infusion

or

3 g/m2/day for 2 days

What other drugs will affect ifosfamide?

Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with ifosfamide. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with ifosfamide.

Other medications may interact with ifosfamide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with ifosfamide.

More ifosfamide resources

• Ifosfamide Side Effects (in more detail)
• Ifosfamide Dosage
• Ifosfamide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Ifosfamide Drug Interactions
• Ifosfamide Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Ifosfamide - Add your own review/rating

• ifosfamide Intravenous Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Ifosfamide Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Ifosfamide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Ifosfamide Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Ifosfamide Solution MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Ifex Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Ifex MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare ifosfamide with other medications

• Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Testicular Cancer

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about ifosfamide written for health professionals that you may read.

See also: ifosfamide side effects (in more detail)