Special Diets

Pain/redness/swelling at the injection site, weakness, tiredness, muscle/joint pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. Nausea and vomiting may be severe in some patients. Your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Eating several small meals, not eating before treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should return after treatment has ended.

People using this medication may have serious side effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.

This medication can lower your body's ability to fight an infection. Tell your doctor promptly if you develop any signs of an infection such as sore throat that doesn't go away, painful urination, fever, or chills.

Painful sores on the lips, mouth, and throat may occur. To decrease the risk, limit hot foods and drinks, brush your teeth carefully, avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol, and rinse your mouth often with cool water.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: swollen hands/ankles/feet, fainting, pale skin, easy/unusual bruising/bleeding, sudden weight gain, signs of dehydration (such as decreased urination, increased thirst, dry mouth).

Ixabepilone can sometimes affect how your nerves work (peripheral neuropathy). Tell your doctor right away if you develop pain/burning/numbness/tingling of the hands/feet.

You may lessen these types of nerve problems by avoiding cold drinks and ice and by dressing warmly. Tell your doctor right away if your nerve problems begin to interfere with your normal daily activities (such as walking, writing, eating).

Treatment with ixabepilone may sometimes cause your hands/feet to develop a skin reaction called hand-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia), especially when this drug is given with capecitabine. You can prevent or reduce these problems by protecting your hands and feet from a great deal of heat or pressure. Avoid unnecessary exposure to heat (such as hot dishwater, long hot baths). Avoid pressure on elbows, knees, and soles of feet (such as leaning on elbows, kneeling, long walks). Wear loose clothing. Depending on how severe your hand-foot syndrome is, your doctor may prescribe a medication to reduce the symptoms or decrease/delay your next treatment. If you experience pain/swelling/redness, blisters, or numbness of the hands/feet that affects your usual activities, tell your doctor right away.

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: fast/irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, bloody/black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, vision changes, seizures, sudden confusion.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), face flushing, tight feeling in chest, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.