Ixabepilone Injection

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Ixabepilone injection is used treat certain types of breast cancer. Ixabepilone is in a class of medications called microtubule inhibitors. It works by killing cancer cells.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Ixabepilone injection comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected over 3 hours intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse. It is injected once every 3 weeks.

Your doctor may need to delay your treatment and adjust your dose if you experience certain side effects. Your doctor will give you other medications to prevent or treat certain side effects about one hour before you receive each dose of ixabepilone injection. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with ixabepilone injection.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before receiving ixabepilone injection,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking, have recently taken, or plan to take while receiving ixabepilone injection. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• the following herbal product may interact with ixabepilone injection: St. John's wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking this medication before you start using ixabepilone injection. Do not start this medication while receiving ixabepilone without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes; any condition that causes numbness, burning or tingling in your hands or feet; or heart disease.
• tell your doctor if you or your partner are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You or your partner should not become pregnant while you are receiving ixabepilone injection. You may have to take a pregnancy test before starting treatment. You should use effective
  birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for 7
  months after your final dose. If your partner can become pregnant, you should use effective birth
  control to prevent pregnancy during treatment for 4 months after
  your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you or your partner become pregnant while you are receiving ixabepilone injection, call your doctor. Ixabepilone injection may harm the fetus.
• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while receiving ixabepilone injection and for 2 weeks after your final dose.
• you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men and women.
• you should know that ixabepilone injection contains alcohol and may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages or medications that may affect your thinking or judgment during your treatment with ixabepilone injection.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking
grapefruit juice while receiving this medication.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

If you miss an appointment to receive a dose of ixabepilone
injection, call your doctor to reschedule the appointment.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• hives; rash; itching; sudden reddening of the face, neck, or upper chest; swelling of the face, throat, or tongue; or difficulty breathing or swallowing
• tender, red palms and soles of feet
• chest pain or tightness, difficulty breathing, pounding heartbeat, faintness, or unusual weight gain,
• fever (100.5 °F or greater), chills, cough, burning or pain when urinating, or other signs of infection

Ixabepilone injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• muscle or bone pain
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• nausea
• stomach pain
• loss of appetite
• diarrhea
• mouth sores

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Name(s):

• Ixempra®

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: February 15, 2026.