ixabepilone

Absorption: IV administration results in complete bioavailablity.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Extensively metabolized by the liver, primarily by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme. Metabolites are not active and are excreted mainly by the kidneys.

Half-Life: 52 hr.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

(plasma concentrations)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
IV	unknown	end of infusion	unknown

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Contraindicated in:

Previous hypersensitivity to any medications containing Cremophor EL or similar derivatives (polyoxyethylated castor oil);
Neutrophils <1500 cells/m³ or platelets <100,000 cells/m³;
Severe hepatic impairment;
Use with capecitabine is contraindicated for hepatic impairment (AST or ALT >2.5 × upper limit of normal [ULN] or bilirubin >1 × ULN) due to ↑ risk of toxicity and death associated with neutropenia;
OB: Pregnancy;
Lactation: Lactation.

Use Cautiously in:

Diluent contains dehydrated alcohol; consider possible CNS effects;
Diabetes or history of neuropathy (↑ risk of severe neuropathy);
History of cardiac disease (may ↑ risk of myocardial ischemia or ventricular dysfunction);
Rep: Women of reproductive potential and men with female partners of reproductive potential;
Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children.

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

CV: chest pain, edema, left ventricular dysfunction, myocardial ischemia

Derm: alopecia, hyperpigmentation, nail disorder, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (combination therapy with capecitabine), exfoliation, hot flushes, pruritus, rash

EENT: ↑lacrimation

GI: abdominal pain, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, mucositis, nausea, stomatitis, vomiting, altered taste

GU: ↓fertility

Hemat: myelosuppression

MS: arthralgia, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia

Neuro: fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, weakness, dizziness, headache, insomnia

Resp: dyspnea

Misc: hypersensitivity reactions

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-drug:

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, atazanavir, ritonavir, and nefazodone, ↑ levels and the risk of serious toxicities; concurrent use should be avoided if possible. If concurrent use is required, ↓ ixabepilone dose.
CYP3A4 inducers, including dexamathasone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, rifampin, or rifabutin, may ↓ levels and effectiveness; avoid concurrent use.

Drug-Natural Products:

St. John's wort may ↓ levels and effectiveness; avoid concurrent use.

Grapefruit juice may ↑ levels and the risk of toxicity; avoid concurrent use.

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

IV (Adults ): 40 mg/m² every 3 wk; not to exceed dose greater than that calculated for 2.2 m² (88 mg/dose).

Hepatic Impairment

IV (Adults ): Moderate hepatic impairment: 20 mg/m² every 3 wk; not to exceed 30 mg/m².

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Powder for injection (requires specific diluent for initial reconstitution): 15 mg/vial (contains 16 mg ixabepilone to allow for withdrawal losses) with 8 mL of diluent in a separate vial as a kit; 45 mg/vial (contains 47 mg ixabepilone to allow for withdrawal losses) with 23.5 mL of diluent in a separate vial as a kit

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Monitor for hypersensitivity reaction (flushing, rash, dyspnea, bronchospasm). If severe reactions occur, stop infusion and provide aggressive supportive treatment with epinephrine and corticosteroids.
Monitor for myelosuppression frequently during therapy including signs of infection and increased bleeding. Avoid IM injections and rectal temperatures. Apply pressure to venipuncture sites for 10 min.
Assess patient for signs of peripheral neuropathy (paresthesias); may occur within the first 3 cycles. Patients experiencing new or worsening symptoms may require a reduction or delay in dose. If neuropathy is Grade 2 (moderate) lasting for ≥7 days or Grade 3 (severe) lasting for <7 days, ↓ dose by 20%. If neuropathy is Grade 3 lasting ≥7 days or is disabling, permanently discontinue ixabepilone.

Lab Test Considerations:

Verify negative pregnancy test before starting therapy.Monitor CBC and platelets frequently during therapy. If neutrophil count is <500 cells/mm³ for ≥7 days, patient has febrile neutropenia, platelet count is <25,000/mm³, or platelets are <50,000/mm³ with bleeding, ↓ dose by 20%. Begin new treatment cycle only if neutrophil count is at least 1500 cells/mm³ and nonhematologic toxicities have improved to Grade 1 (mild) or resolved.
- Monitor hepatic function prior to therapy. Patients with decreased hepatic function require a decreased dose. If AST and ALT ≤2.5 × ULN and bilirubin ≤1 × ULN, administer ixabepilone at 40 mg/m². If AST and ALT ≤10 × ULN and bilirubin ≤1 × ULN, administer ixabepilone at 32 mg/m². If AST and ALT ≤10 × ULN and bilirubin >1.5–≤3 × ULN, administer ixabepilone at 20–30 mg/m².

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

Premedicate patient with an H₁ and an H₂ antagonist approximately 1 hr before ixabepilone infusion. Patients who experienced a hypersensitivity reaction in a previous ixabepilone cycle should be premedicated with corticosteroids, and extension of the infusion time should be considered.
- To minimize risk of dermal exposure, wear impervious gloves when handling ixabepilone vials regardless of setting (unpacking and inspection, transport within a facility, dose preparation and administration).

IV Administration:

Intermittent Infusion: Remove Ixempra kit (containing ixabepilone vial and diluent vial) from refrigerator and allow to stand at room temperature for 30 min prior to diluting. Ixempra kit must be stored in refrigerator. When vials are first removed from refrigerator, a white precipitate may be observed in the diluent vial; precipitate will dissolve to form a clear solution once diluent warms to room temperature. Use only diluent supplied in kit for reconstitution. Reconstitution: Reconstitute 15-mg vial with 8 mL and 45-mg vial with 23.5 mL of diluent. Gently swirl and invert vial until powder is completely dissolved. Diluent: Prior to administration, dilute constituted solution further with only LR supplied in DEHP-free bags. Dilute as soon as possible after constitution, but may be stored at room temperature and room light for up to 1 hr. For most doses, use 250-mL bag of LR, 0.9% NaCl (pH adjusted 6.0–9.0 with sodium bicarbonate), or Plasma-lyte A injection (pH 7.4).Concentration: If final concentration is not between 0.2 mg/mL and 0.6 mg/mL, add to appropriate size bag of LR. Thoroughly mix infusion bag by manual rotation. Diluted solution is stable for up to 6 hr at room temperature and room light; must complete infusion during 6-hr period. DEHP-free infusion containers and administration sets must be used. Discard remaining solution.
Rate: Infuse over 3 hr through an in-line filter with a microporous membrane of 0.2–1.2 microns.

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Explain purpose of ixabepilone to patient.
Advise patient to avoid grapefruit juice during therapy; may lead to increased levels and side effects.
Solution contains alcohol and may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Caution patient to avoid driving and other activities requiring alertness until response to medication is known.
Instruct patient to notify health care professional promptly if fever >100.5°F; chills; cough; hoarseness; sore throat; signs of infection; lower back or side pain; burning, painful, or difficult urination; bleeding gums; bruising; petechiae; blood in stools, urine, or emesis; increased fatigue; dyspnea; or orthostatic hypotension occurs. Caution patient to avoid crowds and persons with known infections. Instruct patients to use a soft toothbrush and electric razor and to avoid falls. Caution patient not to drink alcoholic beverages or take medication containing aspirin or NSAIDs; may precipitate bleeding.
Instruct patient to notify health care professional promptly if signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity (hives, urticaria, pruritus, rash, flushing, swelling, dyspnea, chest tightness), peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling in hands and feet), or cardiac adverse reactions (chest pain, difficulty breathing, palpitations, unusual weight gain) occur.
Advise patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult health care professional before taking other Rx, OTC, or herbal products, especially St. John's wort.
Instruct patient not to receive any vaccinations without advice of health care professional.
Discuss the possibility of hair loss with patient. Explore methods of coping. Regrowth usually occurs 2–3 mo after discontinuation of therapy.
Rep: May cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 7 mo after last dose of therapy and to avoid breastfeeding during and for 2 wk after last dose of therapy. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 4 mo after last dose. May impair female and male fertility.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

Decreased progression of breast cancer.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Code ⬆

NDC Code

70020- R-Pharm US Operating, LLC
- 70020-1910- IXEMPRA
  - 70020-1910-1- 1 KIT in 1 PACKAGE, COMBINATION (70020-1910-1) * 15 mg in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE * 8 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE

70020- R-Pharm US Operating, LLC
- 70020-1911- IXEMPRA
  - 70020-1911-1- 1 KIT in 1 PACKAGE, COMBINATION (70020-1911-1) * 45 mg in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE * 23.5 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-USE

section name header

Pronunciation ⬇

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Indications ⬆ ⬇

Action ⬆ ⬇

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇