Ifosfamide

Ifosfamide is a prescription medication used for the treatment of germ cell testicular cancer

• Ifosfamide is available under the following different brand names: Ifex

Adult dosage

Kit: powder with mesna solution

• 1g/vial
• 3g/vial

Solution

• 1g/20mL
• 3g/60mL

Germ Cell Testicular Cancer

Adult dosage

• 1.2 g/m²/day IV infusion over 30 minutes on days 1-5 every 3-4 weeks or after recovering from hematologic toxicity (above 100,000 cells/mm³ platelets or more than 4,000 cells/mm³ WBC)

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of the Ifosfamide include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• confusion,
• vision problems,
• thinking problems,
• numbness,
• tingling,
• burning pain,
• infections,
• urination problems, and
• hair loss.

Serious side effects of the Ifosfamide include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• fever,
• sore throat,
• burning eyes,
• skin pain,
• red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling,
• chills,
• flu symptoms,
• mouth or throat ulcer,
• skin sores,
• pale skin,
• cold hands and feet,
• easy bruising,
• unusual bleeding,
• rapid heart rate,
• shallow breathing,
• lightheadedness,
• shortness of breath,
• confusion,
• unusual thoughts or behavior,
• hallucinations,
• seizures,
• little or no urination,
• painful or difficult urination,
• blood in the urine,
• loss of bladder control,
• problems with hearing or vision,
• ringing in the ears,
• sudden chest pain,
• wheezing,
• dry cough,
• dark urine,
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice),
• wounds that will not heal, and
• involuntary muscle movements.

Rare side effects of the Ifosfamide include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Ifosfamide has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, oral
  • influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent
  • influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent, cell-cultured
  • measles (rubeola) vaccine
  • measles mumps and rubella vaccine, live
  • measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine, live
  • rotavirus oral vaccine, live
  • rubella vaccine
  • smallpox (vaccinia) vaccine, live
  • talimogene laherparepvec
  • varicella virus vaccine live
  • yellow fever vaccine
  • zoster vaccine live
• Ifosfamide has serious interactions with at least 24 other drugs.
• Ifosfamide has moderate interactions with at least 226 other drugs.
• Ifosfamide has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • digoxin
  • ruxolitinib
  • ruxolitinib topical
  • vitamin A
  • vitamin E

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Severe myelosuppression

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ifosfamide?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ifosfamide?”

Cautions

• Avoid pregnancy
• May interfere with wound healing
• Use caution in renal impairment
• Heart Failure risk
  • Acute heart failure, often occurring within 1 to 10 days of treatment, has been reported with induction therapy at doses greater than 12.5 mg/m2
  • The onset of HF can be reversible, usually resolving over 3 to 4 weeks

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug is available
• Lactation
  • Excreted in breast milk, do not nurse