ifex
Ifex is a combination medicine containing Ifosfamide and Mesna.
Ifosfamide and Mesna · by Baxter Hlthcare
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Ifosfamide and Mesna
- Form
- Injectable
- Strength
- Ifosfamide 1GM/VIAL · Ifosfamide 3GM/VIAL
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- Manufacturer
- Baxter Hlthcare
- FDA application
- NDA019763
- FDA boxed warning
- Yes — see the boxed warning
What is Ifex?
From the FDA label:Ifosfamide for Injection (ifosfamide for injection, USP) single-dose vials for constitution and administration by intravenous infusion each contain 1 gram or 3 grams of sterile ifosfamide. Ifosfamide is a alkylating drug chemically related to the nitrogen mustards and a synthetic analog of cyclophosphamide. Ifosfamide is 3-(2-chloroethyl)-2-[(2-chloroethyl)amino]tetrahydro-2H-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine 2-oxide. The molecular formula is C 7 H 15 Cl 2 N 2 O 2 P and its molecular weight is 261.1. Ifosfamide is a white crystalline powder soluble in water. There are no excipients in the formulation. Each vial contains 1 gram or 3 grams of sterile ifosfamide alone. Its structural formula is: Structural Formula
How to use
Administer Ifosfamide for Injection with extensive hydration consisting of at least 2 liters of oral or intravenous fluid per day to reduce the incidence or severity of bladder toxicity. ( 2.1 , 5.3 ) • Administer mesna with Ifosfamide for Injection to reduce the incidence or severity of hemorrhagic cystitis. ( 2.1 , 5.3 ) • Administer Ifosfamide for Injection as a slow intravenous infusion (at least 30 minutes) at a dose of 1.2 grams per m 2 per day for 5 consecutive days. Repeat every 3 weeks or after recovery from hematologic toxicity. ( 2.2 ) • Individualize the dose and dosing schedule of Ifosfamide for Injection based on patient risk factors and adverse reactions. ( 2.2 ) • See Full Prescribing Information for instructions on preparation and administration. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions Administer Ifosfamide for Injection with extensive hydration consisting of at least 2 liters of oral or intravenous fluid per day to reduce the incidence or severity of bladder toxicity. Administer Ifosfamide for Injection with mesna to reduce the incidence or severity of hemorrhagic cystitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of Ifosfamide for Injection is 1.2 grams per m2 per day administered as a slow intravenous infusion (lasting at least 30 minutes) for 5 consecutive days. Treatment is repeated every 3 weeks or…
Side effects
The most common (≥ 10%) adverse reactions were alopecia, nausea/vomiting, hematuria, leukopenia, anemia, CNS toxicity, infection. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Baxter Healthcare at phone: 1 866 888 2472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted from widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The adverse reactions in Table 2 below are based on 30 publications describing clinical experience with fractionated administration of ifosfamide as a single agent with a total dose of 4 to 12 g/m 2 per course. Table 2: Adverse Reactions in Patients Treated with Single Agent Ifosfamide for Injection Adverse Reaction Single Agent Ifosfamide for Injection % (number of patients) Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders Alopecia 90% (540/603) Dermatitis 0.08% (1/1317) Papular rash 0.08% (1/1317) Gastrointestinal Disorders Nausea/Vomiting 47% (443/964) Diarrhea 0.7% (9/1317) Stomatitis 0.3% (4/1317) Renal and Urinary Disorders Hemorrhagic cystitis Includes dysuria and pollakiuria Hematuria - without mesna 44% (282/640) - with mesna 21% (33/155) Macrohematuria - without mesna 11% (66/594) - with mesna 5% (5/97)…
FDA Boxed Warning (the FDA’s most serious warning)
Boxed (black-box) warning — from the FDA label
MYELOSUPPRESSION, ENCEPHALOPATHY, NEPHROTOXICITY and UROTOXICITY • Myelosuppression can be severe and lead to fatal infections. Monitor blood counts prior to and at intervals after each treatment cycle [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. • Encephalopathy can be severe and may result in death. Monitor for CNS toxicity and discontinue treatment for encephalopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. • Nephrotoxicity can be severe and result in renal failure. Hemorrhagic cystitis can be severe and can be reduced by the prophylactic use of mesna [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. WARNING: MYELOSUPPRESSION, ENCEPHALOPATHY, NEPHROTOXICITY and UROTOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning . • Myelosuppression can be severe and lead to fatal infections ( 5.1 ) • Encephalopathy can be severe and may result in death ( 5.2 ) • Nephrotoxicity can be severe and result in renal failure. Hemorrhagic cystitis can be severe. ( 5.3 )
Warnings
Important safety information
Myelosuppression: Monitor blood counts prior to treatment, during treatment, and as clinically indicated. ( 5.1 ) • Encephalopathy: Monitor for signs and symptoms of CNS toxicity during and after Ifosfamide for Injection treatment. Dose interruption or permanent discontinuation may be required based on individual safety and tolerability. ( 5.2 ) • Nephrotoxicity and Urotoxicity: Monitor signs and symptoms. Monitor serum and urine chemistries. (2.1, 5.3 ) • Cardiotoxicity: Arrhythmias, other ECG changes, and cardiomyopathy can occur and result in death. Cardiotoxicity is dose dependent and the risk is increased in patients with preexisting cardiac, treatment with other cardiotoxic agents, radiation, and renal impairment. ( 5.4 ) • Pulmonary toxicity: Interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary toxicity with fatal outcomes can occur. Monitor for signs and symptoms of pulmonary toxicity and treat as clinically indicated. ( 5.5 ) • Secondary malignancies can occur. ( 5.6 ) • Veno-occlusive Liver Disease can occur. ( 5.7 ) • Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise of potential risk to a fetus and use of effective contraception. ( 5.8 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) • Infertility: Can impair male and female reproductive function. ( 5.9 ) • Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions have been reported. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Myelosuppression Ifosfamide for Injection can cause myelosuppression that results in severe or fatal infections including sepsis or septic shock. Ifosfamide‑induced myelosuppression includes leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia (with bleeding events), and anemia. The nadir of the leukocyte count usually occurs during the second week after administration of Ifosfamide for Injection. The risk of myelosuppression is dose‑dependent and increased in patients with reduced renal function, bone marrow metastases, prior radiation, and concomitant or prior therapy with other cytotoxic agents. Monitor complete blood counts, including leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and hemoglobin prior to each administration of Ifosfamide for Injection, at appropriate intervals during treatment, and as clinically indicated. Myelosuppression may require dosage delays. Avoid administration of Ifosfamide for Injection to patients with a WBC count below 2000/µL, a platelet count below 50,000/µL, or when signs or symptoms of active infection or severe immunosuppression are present. 5.2 Encephalopathy Ifosfamide for Injection can cause encephalopathy which may be fatal. Signs and symptoms may include confusion, somnolence, coma, hallucination, blurred vision, psychotic behavior, extrapyramidal symptoms, urinary incontinence, and seizures. Risk factors include high ifosfamide dosage, hypoalbuminemia, impaired renal function, poor performance status, bulky abdominal-pelvic disease, nephrotoxic treatments including cisplatin, CNS active drugs, or alcohol use. Signs and symptoms may occur or recur within hours to days after administration of Ifosfamide for Injection. Continue supportive care until complete resolution of CNS signs and symptoms. Monitor for signs and symptoms of encephalopathy during and after Ifosfamide for Injection treatment. Dose interruption or permanent discontinuation may be required based on individual safety and tolerability. Consider methylene blue for treatment of encephalopathy. 5.3 Nephrotoxicity and Urotoxicity Ifosfamide for Injection can cause severe or fatal nephrotoxicity and urotoxicity including glomerular or tubular dysfunction, tubular necrosis, renal parenchymal necrosis, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, and hemorrhagic cystitis (requiring blood transfusion). Tubular damage may occur up to years after cessation of Ifosfamide for Injection treatment. The risk of nephrotoxicity is increased in patients with renal impairment or reduced nephron reserve. Hemorrhagic cystitis is dose‑dependent and the risk is increased with past or concomitant radiation of the bladder or busulfan treatment. Evaluate glomerular and tubular kidney function before treatment with Ifosfamide for Injection, during Ifosfamide for Injection treatment, and as clinically indicated. Monitor serum and urine chemistries (including phosphorus and potassium) and urinary sediment for the presence of erythrocytes or other signs of nephrotoxicity. Signs and symptoms may include a decrease in glomerular filtration rate, increased serum creatinine, proteinuria, enzymuria, cylindruria, aminoaciduria, phosphaturia, glycosuria, osteomalacia, tubular acidosis, Fanconi syndrome, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Before starting treatment, exclude or correct any urinary tract obstructions [see Contraindications (4) ]. During or immediately after administration, provide oral or intravenous fluid to force dieresis to reduce the risk of urinary tract toxicity. Administer mesna with Ifosfamide for Injection to reduce the incidence and severity of urotoxicity [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ]. Obtain a urinalysis prior to each dose of Ifosfamide for Injection. Avoid administration of Ifosfamide for Injection in patients with active urinary tract infections. If microscopic hematuria (greater than 10 RBCs per high power field) is present, then withhold administration of Ifosfamide for Injection until complete resolution. Further administration of Ifosfamide for Injection should be given with vigorous oral or parenteral hydration. Dosage interruption or permanent discontinuation may be required based on individual safety and tolerability. 5.4 Cardiotoxicity Ifosfamide for Injection can cause severe or fatal cardiotoxicity including any of the following: • Supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias, including atrial/supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia • Decreased QRS voltage and ST-segment or T-wave changes • Toxic cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure with congestion and hypotension • Pericardial effusion, fibrinous pericarditis, and epicardial fibrosis Cardiotoxic effects are dose‑dependent and the risk is increased in patients with cardiac disease, prior or concomitant treatment with other cardiotoxic agents, radiation of the cardiac region, and renal impairment. 5.5 Pulmonary Toxicity Ifosfamide for Injection can cause severe or fatal pulmonary toxicities including interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and respiratory failure. Monitor for signs and symptoms of pulmonary toxicity and treat as clinically indicated. 5.6 Secondary Malignancies The incidence of secondary malignancies is increased in patients treated with Ifosfamide for Injection-containing regimens. Cases of myelodysplastic syndrome, acute leukemias, lymphomas, thyroid cancers, and sarcomas have occurred and may develop several years after chemotherapy has been discontinued. 5.7 Veno-occlusive Liver Disease Veno-occlusive liver disease has been reported with chemotherapy that included ifosfamide. 5.8 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on mechanism of action and human and animal data, Ifosfamide for Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) and Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ]. Fetal growth retardation and neonatal anemia have been reported following exposure to ifosfamide‑containing chemotherapy regimens during pregnancy. Ifosfamide is genotoxic and mutagenic in male and female germ cells. Embryotoxic and teratogenic effects have been observed in mice, rats and rabbits at doses 0.05 to 0.075 times the human dose. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ]. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of Ifosfamide for Injection. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Ifosfamide for Injection and for up to 12 months after completion of…
Who should not take Ifex
Ifosfamide for Injection is contraindicated in patients with: • Known hypersensitivity to administration of ifosfamide. • Urinary outflow obstruction. • Known hypersensitivity to administration of ifosfamide. ( 4 ) • Urinary outflow obstruction. ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
No specific antidote for Ifosfamide for Injection is known. Patients who receive an overdose should be closely monitored for the development of toxicities. Serious consequences of overdosage include manifestations of dose-dependent toxicities such as CNS toxicity, nephrotoxicity, myelosuppression, and mucositis [see Warnings and Precautions (5) ]. Management of overdosage would include general supportive measures to sustain the patient through any period of toxicity that might occur, including appropriate state-of-the-art treatment for any concurrent infection, myelosuppression, or other toxicity. Ifosfamide as well as ifosfamide metabolites are dialyzable. Cystitis prophylaxis with mesna may be helpful in preventing or limiting urotoxic effects with overdose.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
CYP3A4 Inducers: Monitor for increased toxicity when used in combination with CYP3A4 inducers. ( 7.1 ) • CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Use in combination with CYP3A4 inhibitors could decrease the effectiveness of ifosfamide. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Inducers of CYP3A4 CYP3A4 inducers may increase the metabolism of ifosfamide to its active alkylating metabolites. CYP3A4 inducers may increase the formation of the neurotoxic/nephrotoxic ifosfamide metabolite, chloroacetaldehyde. Closely monitor patients taking ifosfamide with CYP3A4 inducers for toxicities and consider dose adjustment. 7.2 Inhibitors of CYP3A4 CYP3A4 inhibitors may decrease the metabolism of ifosfamide to its active alkylating metabolites, perhaps decreasing the effectiveness of ifosfamide treatment.
Dosage forms
Injectable
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is there a coupon or discount for Ifex?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Ifex. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Ifex?
- Ifex is marketed by Baxter Hlthcare. You can see Baxter Hlthcare's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Ifex a brand-name or generic drug?
- Ifex is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Ifosfamide and Mesna.
- Is Ifex available over the counter?
- No. Ifex is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Ifex come in?
- Ifex is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- Is Ifex FDA-registered?
- Ifex is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA019763. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Ifex safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Ifex. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Ifex?
- Ifex's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The most common (≥ 10%) adverse reactions were alopecia, nausea/vomiting, hematuria, leukopenia, anemia, CNS toxicity, infection. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Baxter Healthcare at phone: 1 866 888 2472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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