Ifosfamide
Description
Ifosfamide is an anticancer agent which is used in the treatment of various cancers of testes, lymphatic system, connective tissues, etc. It should only be used under the supervision of a qualified physician. Close monitoring of blood cell count is necessary while receiving this medication.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Ifosfamide
- Chest pain
- Decrease in blood cell count
- Hair loss
- Difficult or painful urination
- Blood in urine
- Fever and chills
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
Uses of Ifosfamide
What is it prescribed for?
- Testicular Cancer
- Lymphoma
- Sarcoma
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, abnormal muscle movements, seizures, etc . Avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to ifosfamide or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Severe Kidney and/or Liver impairment
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney and or liver diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Cystitis
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) or urinary flow obstruction due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding for a specific period of time or prescribe an alternative medicine based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Bonemarrow suppression
This medicine may cause bone marrow suppression which in turn lowers the white blood cell count (neutrophils) and platelets. Close monitoring of blood cell count is necessary. The baseline of the blood cell count should be obtained before initiation of the treatment. Do not start the treatment if the counts are less.
Infections
The chances of infections are more in patients receiving this medicine. Hold the chemotherapy and start with broad-spectrum antibiotics if there are any signs and symptoms of fever. Close monitoring of the body temperature and the blood cell count is necessary.
Central Nervous System Toxicity
This medicine is associated with many central nervous system toxicities such as confusion, hallucinations, blurred vision, psychotic behavior, extrapyramidal symptoms, seizures, and in some instances, coma, have been reported. Close monitoring of adverse reactions is recommended.
Effects on kidney and urinary system
This medicine is toxic to both kidneys and urinary system. Adverse reactions like altered kidney function, increased serum creatinine levels, altered electrolyte levels, etc has been reported with this medicine. Close monitoring of urine and kidney function is recommended. The treatment should be discontinued if the signs and symptoms of kidney injury appear.
Effect on heart
This medicine may increase the risk of toxic effects on the heart and could lead to congestive heart failure. The treatment should be monitored in patients with a history of heart disease.
Liver disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with mild to moderate liver diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of the liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Use in Children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age unless prescribed by your physician. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits significantly outweigh the risks. In such a case, the patient should be monitored closely for any adverse effects.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low. If you miss an appointment for a scheduled dose of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately for further instructions.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, abnormal muscle movements, seizures, etc . Avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
Interaction with Medicine
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Etanercept
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Diltiazem
Disease interactions
Infections
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from infections due to the increased risk of bone marrow suppression which causes the worsening of infections. Report any signs or symptoms suggesting an infection such as fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. The blood cells count and kidney function should be assessed before starting the treatment. Any signs and symptoms of kidney, heart and urinary dysfunction should be reported to the doctor on priority.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by interfering with the synthesis of DNA that causes the cancer cells to multiply. Thus, helps in stopping the growth and spread of cancer.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antineoplastics, Alkylating agents
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
Ifosfamide - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 19 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 25 Jan 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.