Ixabepilone
About Ixabepilone
Ixabepilone belongs to the group of anti-cancer medicines called microtubule inhibitors used alone or in combination with capecitabine (anti-cancer medicine) to treat locally advanced/metastatic breast cancer, which cannot be treated with other medicines. Breast cancer develops in the breast when the breast cells begin to grow abnormally.
Ixabepilone contains Ixabepilone, which works by killing cancer cells. Thereby, it helps treat breast cancer.
In some cases, Ixabepilone may cause side effects such as tiredness, headache, loss of appetite, fever, hair loss, nausea, and vomiting. Most of these side effects may not require medical attention and resolve over time. Do not be reluctant to talk with your doctor if any of the side effects persist or worsen.
Do not use Ixabepilone if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid driving or operating machinery as Ixabepilone may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Ixabepilone is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness have not been established. Keep the doctor informed regarding your health condition and medications to rule out any side effects/interactions.
Uses of Ixabepilone
Medicinal Benefits
Ixabepilone belongs to the group of anti-cancer medicines called microtubule inhibitors used alone or in combination with capecitabine to treat locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer when other medicines have not worked. Ixabepilone contains Ixabepilone, which works by blocking cells in the mitotic phase of the cell division cycle, leading to cell death. Thereby, it helps treat breast cancer.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ixabepilone
- Tiredness
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss
- Headache
- Fever
- Anaemia (decreased red blood cell count)
Drug Warnings
Do not use Ixabepilone if you are allergic to any of its components or if you have low white blood cell or platelet count. Inform the doctor if you have liver problems, diabetes, neuropathy, or heart problems. Ixabepilone is not recommended for use during pregnancy, lactation and in children. Avoid driving as Ixabepilone may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of neuropathy (numbness, tingling or burning sensation in the feet or hands), low white blood cell count (burning or pain during urination, cough, chills), allergic reaction (rash, itching, hives, swelling or face, tongue or throat, flushed face, trouble breathing, tightness in the chest, palpitations, feeling dizzy or faint), or heart problems (chest pain, palpitations, difficulty breathing or unusual weight gain).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform the doctor if you are taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or strong CYP3A4 inducers.
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid grapefruit juice while on treatment with Ixabepilone as it may lead to side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform the doctor if you have low platelet count, diabetes, neuropathy, liver or heart problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol affects Ixabepilone. Please consult the doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeIxabepilone belongs to pregnancy category D. Ixabepilone may cause foetal harm. Avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with Ixabepilone.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding during treatment with Ixabepilone and for two weeks after the last dose.
Driving
unsafeAvoid driving or operating machinery as Ixabepilone may cause dizziness and drowsiness.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be necessary. Caution is advised while administering Ixabepilone to patients with liver problems. If you have a history of liver problems, inform the doctor before receiving Ixabepilone.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have a history of kidney problems, inform the doctor before receiving Ixabepilone.
Children
unsafeIxabepilone is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Include leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty fish, berries, yoghurt, apples, peaches, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beans, herbs and spices in your diet.
- Avoid fast food, fried food, processed meats, refined carbs and added sugar.
- Get optimal sleep; rest well.
Special Advise
- The pregnancy status of females with reproductive potential should be verified prior to initiation of treatment with Ixabepilone.
- Females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during treatment with Ixabepilone and for seven months after the last dose.
- Male patients with female partners of reproductive potential must use reliable contraception during treatment and for four months after the last dose.
- Hepatic function should be monitored before initiation of treatment with Ixabepilone and periodically thereafter.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Breast cancer: It is a type of cancer that develops in the breast when the breast cells begin to grow abnormally. Breast cancer may form in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or tissue thickening which feels different than the normal surrounding tissues, breast pain, redness, swelling, nipple discharge other than breast milk, bloody discharge, unexplained change in shape, size or appearance of the breast, peeling, flaking or scaling of the skin, and a lump or swelling under the arm.
FAQs
Ixabepilone works by killing cancer cells. Thereby, it helps treat cancer.
Ixabepilone may cause neuropathy. Consult the doctor if you experience numbness, tingling or burning sensation in the hands or feet. The doctor may adjust the dose or stop Ixabepilone.
If you have liver problems, taking Ixabepilone with capecitabine may increase the risk of serious infection and death due to neutropenia (very low white blood cell count). Inform the doctor if you have/had liver disease. The doctor may advise liver tests to check liver function. If the blood tests show that you have liver problems, the doctor may not recommend the use of Ixabepilone along with capecitabine.