Ixabepilone (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 26, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Ixempra

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Mitotic Inhibitor

Chemical Class: Epothilone

Uses for ixabepilone

Ixabepilone injection is used alone or together with other medicine (eg, capecitabine) to treat metastatic (cancer that has spread) or locally advanced breast cancer in patients who have received other cancer treatments (eg, anthracyclines, taxanes, and capecitabine) that did not work well.

Ixabepilone injection belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics (cancer medicines). It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal cells will also be affected by ixabepilone, other side effects may occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor right away.

Ixabepilone is to be given only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Before using ixabepilone

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ixabepilone, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ixabepilone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ixabepilone injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ixabepilone injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have serious unwanted effects, which may require caution in patients receiving ixabepilone.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving ixabepilone, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using ixabepilone with any of the following medicines is usually not recommend..