How IXEMPRA is supplied1
IXEMPRA (ixabepilone) is supplied as a kit containing one vial of IXEMPRA and one vial of diluent for IXEMPRA. A sufficient
excess of drug is provided in the respective vials to allow for withdrawal losses.

- Both IXEMPRA and diluent are packaged together:
- 10-digit NDC 0015-1910-12/11-digit NDC 00015-1910-12
IXEMPRA Kit containing one 15-mg vial of IXEMPRA and one 8-mL vial of diluent for IXEMPRA
- 10-digit NDC 0015-1911-13/11-digit NDC 00015-1911-13
IXEMPRA Kit containing one 45-mg vial of IXEMPRA and one 23.5-mL vial of diluent for IXEMPRA
- IXEMPRA Kit must be stored in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the original package
to protect from light
Required materials for dose preparation and administration1,7
For preparation:
- Qualified infusion fluid (DEHP-free)
- Sterile, disposable syringes/needles
- Impervious gloves; gown
- Other safety precautions required by your institution
For administration:
- One IV administration set (DEHP-free)
- One IV catheter
- Alcohol pads
- In-line filter (0.2 to 1.2 microns)
DEHP = di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate.


Handling guidelines
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: Toxicity in hepatic impairment
- IXEMPRA® (ixabepilone) in combination with capecitabine is
contraindicated in patients with
AST or ALT >2.5 x ULN or bilirubin >1 x ULN due to increased risk of toxicity
and neutropenia-related death
- In combination with capecitabine, the overall frequency of grade 3/4 adverse reactions,
febrile neutropenia, serious
adverse reactions, and toxicity-related deaths was greater in patients with hepatic
impairment
- Caution should be used when using IXEMPRA as monotherapy in patients with AST or
ALT >5 x ULN. Use of
IXEMPRA in patients with AST or ALT >10 x ULN or bilirubin >3 x ULN is not
recommended
- With monotherapy, grade 4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and serious adverse
reactions were more frequent in
patients with hepatic impairment
Contraindications
- IXEMPRA is contraindicated in patients:
- with a known history of a severe (CTC grade 3/4) hypersensitivity reaction to agents
containing Cremophor® EL
or its derivatives such as polyoxyethylated castor oil
- who have a baseline neutrophil count <1500 cells/mm3 or a platelet
count <100,000 cells/mm3
Peripheral neuropathy
- Peripheral neuropathy was common. Patients treated with IXEMPRA should be monitored
for symptoms of
neuropathy, such as burning sensation, hyperesthesia, hypoesthesia, paresthesia,
discomfort, or neuropathic pain
- Neuropathy occurred early during treatment; ~75% of new onset or worsening neuropathy
occurred during the first
3 cycles. Patients experiencing new or worsening peripheral neuropathy may require
changes in the dose or
discontinuation of IXEMPRA
- Neuropathy was the most frequent cause of treatment discontinuation due to drug
toxicity. Caution should be used
when treating patients with diabetes mellitus or preexisting peripheral neuropathy
Myelosuppression
- Myelosuppression is dose-dependent and primarily manifested as neutropenia
- Patients should be monitored for myelosuppression; frequent peripheral blood cell
counts are recommended for all
patients receiving IXEMPRA
- Patients who experience severe neutropenia or thrombocytopenia should have their
dose reduced. Neutropenia-
related deaths occurred in 1.9% of 414 patients with normal hepatic function or
mild hepatic impairment treated
with IXEMPRA in combination with capecitabine. Neutropenia-related death occurred
in 0.4% of 240 patients with
IXEMPRA as monotherapy
Hypersensitivity reaction
- Premedicate with an H1 and an H2 antagonist approximately
1 hour before IXEMPRA infusion and observe for
hypersensitivity reactions (eg, flushing, rash, dyspnea, and bronchospasm)
- In case of severe hypersensitivity reactions, infusion of IXEMPRA should be stopped
and aggressive supportive
treatment (eg, epinephrine, corticosteroids) started
- Patients who experience a hypersensitivity reaction in one cycle of IXEMPRA must
be premedicated in
subsequent cycles with a corticosteroid in addition to the H1 and H2
antagonists, and extension of the infusion
time should be considered
Pregnancy
- Women should be advised not to become pregnant when taking IXEMPRA. If this drug
is used during pregnancy or
the patient becomes pregnant, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard
to the fetus
Cardiac adverse reactions
- Caution should be exercised in patients with a history of cardiac disease. Discontinuation
of IXEMPRA should be
considered in patients who develop cardiac ischemia or impaired cardiac function
due to reports of cardiovascular
adverse reactions (eg, myocardial ischemia, supraventricular arrhythmia, and ventricular
dysfunction). The
frequency of cardiac adverse reactions (myocardial ischemia and ventricular dysfunction)
was higher in the
IXEMPRA in combination with capecitabine (1.9%) than in the capecitabine alone (0.3%)
treatment group
Potential for cognitive impairment from excipients
- IXEMPRA contains dehydrated alcohol USP. Consideration should be given to the possibility
of central nervous
system and other effects of alcohol
Adverse reactions
- The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) reported by patients receiving IXEMPRA
were peripheral sensory
neuropathy, fatigue/asthenia, myalgia/arthralgia, alopecia, nausea, vomiting, stomatitis/mucositis,
diarrhea, and
musculoskeletal pain. The following additional events occurred in ≥20% in combination
treatment: palmar-plantar
erythrodysesthesia (hand-foot) syndrome, anorexia, abdominal pain, nail disorder,
and constipation.
Drug-associated hematologic abnormalities (>40%) include neutropenia, leukopenia,
anemia, and
thrombocytopenia
Cremophor is a registered trademark of BASF AG.
AST = aspartate aminotransferase; ALT = alanine aminotransferase;
ULN = upper limit of normal; CTC = common terminology criteria.
Please see Full US Prescribing Information,
including boxed WARNING regarding hepatic impairment.