Ifosfamide

What is this medication for?

Ifosfamide may be used alone or in combination with other medications to treat bladder, lung, head and neck, testicular cancer and also certain types of lymphoma and leukaemia. 
It disrupts the normal structure and function of DNA in cancer cells, preventing them from dividing and hence causing cells to die.
 

How should I take or use this medication?

Ifosfamide is given as an injection into your vein (intravenous) 

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, are planning to become pregnant or if your partner could become pregnant
  • You should use effective birth control during treatment and for 6 months after your last treatment
  • Ifosfamide may have an irreversible effect on fertility. You should discuss with your doctor regarding fertility preservation prior to starting treatment.
• You are breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies. 
   

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

Early Side Effects (within hours to days of receiving Ifosfamide)

• Nausea and vomiting
  • Take small, frequent meals and avoid foods with smells that may trigger nausea
  • Take medications for nausea or vomiting if prescribed
    • Avoid tight fitting clothes
• Transient lethargy or confusion

Delayed Side Effects (within days to weeks after receiving Ifosfamide)

• Increased risk of infections
  • Practice good personal hygiene
  • Avoid eating raw uncooked/half cooked food
  • Avoid crowds and people who are sick as much as possible
• Bladder irritation causing pain or blood in urine
  • Drink plenty of fluids especially prior to each chemotherapy session, drink 2-3 litres of fluids per day unless informed by your doctor to restrict fluids
  • Take medication prescribed to protect the bladder (Mesna)
• Temporary hair loss 
   

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

• Allergic reactions. Please alert your healthcare professional if you experience this during your treatment.
  • The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
• Stinging pain, redness or swelling around the vein due to drug leakage around the infusion site. Please alert your nurse immediately if you experience this during your treatment. They may give the drug more slowly or flush it through with more fluids to reduce pain.
• Signs of infection such as fever with a temperature of 38 degree celsius and above, chills, very bad sore throat, cough, pain with passing urine, mouth sores or wounds that will not heal
• Signs of bleeding such as coughing up blood or coffee-ground vomitus, passing a large amount of fresh blood in urine or stools, tea-coloured urine, black sticky stools, unexplained bruises or bleeding you cannot stop
• Seizures, confusion, mood changes or hallucinations
• Changes in urination, pain or blood in urine
• Abnormal chest pain, irregular heartbeat or persistent swelling of the lower legs

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
 

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid taking grapefruit when you are taking this medicine as grapefruit may interact with your medicine and increase the risk of side-effects. 
Avoid alcoholic beverages as alcohol may interact with your medicine.     
Avoid taking Traditional Chinese Medicines, Jamu or supplements without consulting your physician as it may potentially interact with your medicine.