Has your doctor prescribed Ixabepilone for breast cancer? It's normal to have a lot of questions and even a little fear about this medication. "What will happen with this?", "Will it be too hard for me?", "What should I be concerned about?" You may be wondering. Don't worry. Today, we'll talk about what this medication is, what it does, and everything you need to know about this treatment.
What kind of medicine is Ixabepilone?
Simply put, Ixabepilone (brand name: Ixempra) is a chemotherapy drug that kills cancer cells. It is used specifically to treat breast cancer.
Cancer is a condition in which cells in our body divide uncontrollably and grow rapidly. So this medicine stops the growth of those rapidly dividing cancer cells or destroys them. That is how cancer is controlled. It is sometimes given in combination with other medicines. The doctor who treats you will explain this to you.
Things to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is very important. In order to treat you safely, your doctor needs to be fully aware of your health condition. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor before starting treatment.
| Health condition or problem | Reason to tell the doctor |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | This medicine can sometimes affect the heartbeat. |
| Liver disease | The liver is the body's metabolizer. If your liver is weak, your dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| Decreased white blood cells or platelets | This medicine can cause further reduction in blood cells, which increases the risk of infection and bleeding. |
| Numbness, pain, or inflammation in the hands and feet (Neuropathy) | This condition is likely to worsen due to the medication. |
| Various allergies (Allergies) | It is very important to inform your doctor if you have any allergies to Ixabepilone, Cremophor EL, other medicines, foods, or preservatives. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | This medicine can cause serious harm to the unborn baby. |
| Breastfeeding the baby | The medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How do you get the medicine?
This is not a medicine to take at home. Ixabepilone is an intravenous (IV) injection . It is given to you by a doctor or trained nursing staff in a hospital or clinic. The doctor usually injects the medicine into your body through a saline solution.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
It is very important to receive this treatment on the scheduled date and time. If you are unable to come to the hospital on the scheduled date, call your doctor or the treatment unit immediately and inform them.
What if I take too much medicine?
This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you think you have taken too much of the medicine, inform the medical team immediately. Alternatively, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What are the interactions with this medicine?
Some medications, foods, and beverages may interact with this medicine and reduce or increase its effectiveness, or cause unwanted side effects.
The following are almost completely contraindicated with Ixabepilone:
- Disulfiram (a drug used to stop alcohol use)
- Live virus vaccines
Also, you should pay special attention to the following:
- Some antibiotics (macrolides) like Erythromycin and Clarithromycin
- Some antiviral drugs given for HIV or Hepatitis
- Antifungal medications like Ketoconazole and Itraconazole
- Some medications used for seizures, such as carbamazepine and phenytoin
- Grapefruit or grapefruit juice
- St. John's Wort herbal product
The most important thing is to tell your doctor about all the medications you take (prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal products, vitamins), and if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things you should be aware of during treatment
It's normal to feel a little uncomfortable when undergoing chemotherapy. This is because these drugs affect not only cancer cells, but also healthy cells that divide rapidly in our bodies (e.g., hair, the lining of our mouth, blood cells).
- Protect yourself from infections: This medicine can reduce the number of white blood cells in your body. This means that your immunity will decrease . Therefore, if you experience symptoms like fever, cold, cough, or sore throat, do not self-medicate and tell your doctor immediately. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick.
- Allergic reactions: Some people may have a severe allergic reaction to this medicine. To reduce this risk, your doctor may give you another medicine (e.g. Piriton) before giving you this vaccine. Follow those instructions exactly.
- Painkillers: Do not take medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, or Naproxen without your doctor's advice. These can suppress the fever and make it difficult to detect an infection.
- Teeth and gums: Be careful when brushing and flossing your teeth. Bleeding and infection can occur. If you are having any dental treatment, tell your dentist that you are taking chemotherapy.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: This is very important!
- Women: Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine and for 7 months after stopping treatment.
- Men: Avoid fathering a child while taking this medicine and for 4 months after stopping treatment.
- This medicine can seriously harm an unborn baby. Also, avoid breastfeeding while taking this medicine and for 2 weeks after stopping treatment.
- Fertility: This medicine may temporarily or permanently affect your ability to have children. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor before starting treatment.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Not everyone will experience all side effects, but it's important to be aware of the possible ones.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Neurological disorders | Severe pain, numbness, or burning in the hands and feet. |
| Swelling | Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Bleeding | Unexplained bruising of the skin, or bleeding that does not stop even from a minor injury. |
| Common side effects that may occur and should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Digestive system problems | Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. |
| Body changes | Hair loss, loss of appetite, headaches, muscle or joint pain. |
| Mouth sores | Redness, swelling, or sores inside the mouth or throat. |
| Problems with the palms and soles | Skin redness, blistering, peeling, or swelling. |
| Anemia | Unusual fatigue, paleness, dizziness, difficulty breathing. |
Take-Home Message
- Ixabepilone is a chemotherapy drug for breast cancer that is given intravenously in the hospital.
- Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking before starting treatment.
- During treatment, be very vigilant for signs of infection such as fever and cough, or signs of allergy such as skin rashes. If you have any concerns, inform your doctor immediately.
- Avoid pregnancy completely during treatment and for as long as your doctor recommends. This applies to both women and men.
- No matter how uncomfortable you feel, never stop treatment without your doctor's advice. Talk to your doctor about any problems. He or she will help you.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න