Ifosfamide

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Ifex, Ifosfamide

Brand Names
Ifex, Ifosfamide
Dosage Form
POWDER
Product Type
BULK INGREDIENT

⚠ Boxed Warning (Black Box)

WARNING: 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 )

  • Description

    11 DESCRIPTION IFEX (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: IFEX Structural Formula

    What Is Ifosfamide Used For?

    1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE IFEX is indicated for use in adults in combination with certain other approved antineoplastic agents for third-line chemotherapy of germ cell testicular cancer. IFEX is an alkylating drug indicated for use in adults in combination with certain other approved antineoplastic agents for third-line chemotherapy of germ cell testicular cancer.

    Dosage and Administration

    2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

  • Administer IFEX 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 IFEX to reduce the incidence or severity of hemorrhagic cystitis. ( 2.1 , 5.3 )
  • Administer IFEX 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 IFEX 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 IFEX 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 IFEX 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 IFEX is 1.2 grams per m 2 per day administered as a slow intravenous infusion (lasting at least 30 minutes) for 5 consecutive days. Treatment is repeated every 3 weeks or after recovery from hematologic toxicity. Individualize the dose and dosing schedule of IFEX based on patient risk factors and adverse reactions. 2.3 Preparation and Administration IFEX is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1 Skin reactions associated with accidental exposure to IFEX may occur. To minimize the risk of dermal exposure, always wear impervious gloves when handling vials and solutions containing IFEX. If IFEX solution contacts the skin or mucosa, immediately wash the skin thoroughly with soap and water or rinse the mucosa with copious amounts of water. Prepare IFEX for intravenous use by adding Sterile Water for Injection, USP or Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP (benzyl alcohol or parabens preserved) to the vial and shaking to dissolve. Before administration, the substance must be completely dissolved. Use the quantity of diluents shown in Table 1 below to reconstitute the product: Table 1: IFEX Quantities for Dilution and Final Concentrations Dosage Strength Quantity of Diluent Final Concentration 1 gram 20 mL 50 mg per mL 3 grams 60 mL 50 mg per mL Solutions of ifosfamide may be diluted further to achieve concentrations of 0.6 to 20 mg/mL in the following fluids:
  • 5% Dextrose Injection, USP
  • 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP
  • Lactated Ringer’s Injections, USP
  • Sterile Water for Injection, USP Because essentially identical stability results were obtained for Sterile Water admixtures as for the other admixtures (5% Dextrose Injection, 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, and Lactated Ringer’s Injection), the use of large volume parenteral glass bottles, VIAFLEX bags or PAB bags that contain intermediate concentrations...

  • Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

    6 ADVERSE REACTIONS 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 IFEX Adverse Reaction Single Agent IFEX % (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) Renal dysfunction Includes acute renal failure, irreversible renal failure (fatal outcomes) serum creatinine increased, BUN increased, creatinine clearance decreased, metabolic acidosis, anuria, oliguria, glycosuria, hyponatremia, uremia, creatinine clearance increased -- Renal structural damage Includes acute tubular necrosis, renal parenchymal damage, enzymuria, cylindruria, proteinuria -- Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders Leukopenia Includes neutropenia, granulocytopenia, lymphopenia, and pancytopenia (any) -- Leukopenia <1 x 10 3 /µL 44% (267/614) Anemia Includes anemia and decrease in hemoglobin/hematocrit 38% (202/533) Thrombocytopenia Includes severe or fatal bleeding (any) -- Thrombocytopenia, 50 x 10 3 /µL 4.8% (35/729) Nervous System Disorders Central nervous system toxicity Includes coma and death Includes abnormal behavior, affect lability aggression, agitation, anxiety, aphasia, asthenia, ataxia, cerebellar syndrome, cerebral function deficiency, cognitive disorder, coma, confusional state, convulsions, cranial nerve dysfunction, depressed state of consciousness, depression, disorientation, dizziness, electroencephalogram abnormal, encephalopathy, flat affect, hallucinations, headache, ideation, lethargy, memory impairment, mood change, motor dysfunction, muscle spasms, myoclonus, progressive loss of brainstem reflexes, psychotic reaction, restlessness, somnolence, tremor, urinary incontinence 15% (154/1001) Peripheral neuropathy 0.4% (5/1317) Infections and Infestations Infection 10% (112/1128) General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions Phlebitis Includes phlebitis and irritation of the venous walls 2.8% (37/1317) Neutropenic fever Includes granulocytopenic fever 1% (13/1317) Fatigue 0.3% (4/1317) Malaise Unable to calculate Hepatobiliary Disorders Hepatotoxicity Includes increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 1.8% (22/1190) Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders Anorexia 1.1% (15/1317) Cardiac Disorders Cardiotoxicity Includes severe or fatal congestive heart failure, tachycardia, pulmonary edema 0.5% (7/1317) Vascular Disorders Hypotension Includes shock and death 0.3% (4/1317) 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of IFEX. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Blood and Lymphatic Disorders...

    Drug Interactions

    7 DRUG 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.

  • Contraindications

    4 CONTRAINDICATIONS IFEX 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 )

  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

    8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] , and human and animal data (see Data) , IFEX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Fetal growth retardation and neonatal anemia have been reported following exposure to ifosfamide‑containing chemotherapy regimens during pregnancy. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Animal studies indicate that ifosfamide is capable of causing gene mutations and chromosomal damage in vivo . In pregnant mice, resorptions increased and anomalies were present at day 19 after a 30 mg/m 2 dose of ifosfamide was administered on day 11 of gestation. Embryo-lethal effects were observed in rats following the administration of 54 mg/m 2 doses of ifosfamide from the 6th through the 15th day of gestation and embryotoxic effects were apparent after dams received 18 mg/m 2 doses over the same dosing period. Ifosfamide is embryotoxic to rabbits receiving 88 mg/m 2 /day doses from the 6th through the 18th day after mating. The number of anomalies was also significantly increased over the control group.

    Overdosage

    10 OVERDOSAGE No specific antidote for IFEX 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.

    How Supplied

    16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING IFEX (ifosfamide for injection, USP) is available in single-dose vials as follows: IFEX (ifosfamide for injection) NDC 0338-3991-01 1-gram Single-Dose Vial NDC 0338-3993-01 3-gram Single-Dose Vial Store at controlled room temperature 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Protect from temperatures above 30°C (86°F).

    About This Information

    This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

    What are side effects?

    Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

    What are drug interactions?

    Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.