Health Center
IFOSFAMIDE (Ifex®) is a type of chemotherapy for treating cancer. Ifosfamide is changed by the liver into a substance that
interferes with cell growth and causes cell death. Ifosfamide is used in combination with other chemotherapeutic medicines to treat
cancer of the testes. Another medicine called mesna is used with ifosfamide to prevent bleeding in the bladder. Generic ifosfamide
injections are not yet available.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
·bleeding problems
·blood disorders
·cystitis
·dehydration
·dental disease
·infection (especially virus infection such as chickenpox or herpes)
·kidney disease
·liver disease
·recent radiation therapy
·an unusual or allergic reaction to ifosfamide, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
·pregnant or trying to get pregnant
·breast-feeding
Ifosfamide is for slow infusion into a vein. It is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a health care professional. It
can be given by a trained nurse as part of home health-care services.
It is important not to miss a dose. Notify your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
·agents that dissolve blood clots
·allopurinol
·antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
·barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
·blood thinners
·certain antibiotics
·chloral hydrate
·chloroquine
·cimetidine
·cisplatin
·cocaine
·hormones such as prdnisone or cortisone
·live virus vaccines
·phenytoin
·succinylcholine
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines,
nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks
with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your
health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
·black tarry stools
·blood in the urine
·confusion, hallucinations
·difficulty breathing, wheezing
·dizziness, drowsiness
·fever or chills, cough or sore throat
·increase or decrease in the amount of urine passed
·lower back pain
·pain or difficulty passing urine
·pain, swelling, redness or irritation at the injection site
·seizures (convulsions)
·unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin
·unusual tiredness or weakness
·vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are
bothersome):
·diarrhea
·hair loss
·loss of appetite
·nausea
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side
effects of ifosfamide can continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.
Ifosfamide may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because ifosfamide affects good cells as well as cancer
cells. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or
health care professional tells you to stop.
While you are using ifosfamide you will be more susceptible to infection. Try to avoid people with colds, flu, and bronchitis. Do
not have any vaccinations without your prescriber's approval and avoid anyone who has recently had oral polio vaccine.
Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat. Do not treat yourself.
Ifosfamide can cause blood problems. This can mean slow healing and a risk of infection. Try to avoid cutting or injuring yourself.
Problems can arise if you need dental work, and in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth and gums
when you brush or floss your teeth.
Drink several glasses of water a day. This will help to reduce possible kidney and bladder problems. Empty your bladder regularly,
especially at night.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how
ifosfamide affects you.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are using ifosfamide.
Keep out of the reach of children.
After mixing the injection solution use within one week if stored at room temperature, up to 30 degreesC (86 degreesF), or within
three to six weeks if stored in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degreesC (36 and 46 degreesF). Follow manufacturer's advice on
storage of diluted solutions. If bacteriostatic water for injection is not used, refrigerate the solution and use promptly. Throw away
any unused injection solution.
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you
have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
[ Revised 1/1/95]
MESNA (Mesnex®) is used to prevent bleeding from the bladder during ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Generic
mesna injections are not yet available.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
·autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
·uncontrolled nausea and vomiting
·an unusual or allergic reaction to mesna, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
·pregnant or trying to get pregnant
·breast-feeding
Mesna is usually given as an injection or infusion into your vein during and after treatment with ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide.
Mesna injection is administered by a health care professional at a hospital or clinic. Mesna may also be mixed with fruit juice, milk
or carbonated colas and be taken by mouth. If you are taking mesna by mouth, follow the instructions exactly.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
It is very important to take all of your doses at the correct times to prevent serious side effects from your chemotherapy. If you
vomit mesna within one hour of taking the dose by mouth, you should take another dose as soon as possible. If you miss a dose,
take the next dose as soon as possible.
·cisplatin
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines,
nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks
with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your
health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
Most side effects are caused not by mesna, but by the chemotherapy or other medicines taken.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
·vomiting
·fever, chills, or sore throat
·mouth sores
·blood in your urine
·unusual bleeding or bruising
·unusual tiredness, or weakness
·rash, itching or hives
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are
bothersome):
·bad taste in mouth
·soft stools
·diarrhea
·headache
·nausea
The chemotherapy will may make you feel generally unwell. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine
even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to stop.
Mesna injection smells like sulfur (rotten eggs) and may cause some people to develop nausea and/or vomiting. If you develop
vomiting and are unable to take mesna by mouth, call your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible.
Keep out of the reach of children. Mesna may be kept at room temperature, 75[0]F (24[0]C).
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you
have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
[ Revised 1/14/99]
This information was obtained from Clinical Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug or about any other drug, click here.