Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check how well your liver is working before you begin treatment with IXEMPRA and as needed during treatment. If blood tests show that you have liver problems, do not receive injections of IXEMPRA along with capecitabine. If you have liver problems, taking these medicines together could increase your chance of serious infection and death due to a very low white blood cell count (neutropenia).

You should not have your injection of IXEMPRA if you are allergic to medicines that contain Cremophor® EL* (polyoxyethylated castor oil) or if you have a low white blood cell count or a low platelet count. Continue to full Important Safety Information below

IXEMPRA a prescription medicine, used to treat breast cancer when certain medicines have not worked or no longer work can be used alone or with capecitabine.

IXEMPRA® (ixabepilone) Used Alone

IXEMPRA was studied in 126 women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer that had continued to spread after treatment with an anthracycline, a taxane, and Xeloda. The women received IXEMPRA every 3 weeks. Some women (12.4%) taking IXEMPRA alone had reduction in the growth of their cancer, according to scans and other measurements healthcare providers used.

IXEMPRA may be a next step when the cancer has continued to grow after treatment with an anthracycline, a taxane, and Xeloda. It is important to remember that everyone’s cancer is unique. Individual results may vary. Your healthcare provider can answer questions you may have about IXEMPRA in clinical trials.

Important Safety Information

Treatment with IXEMPRA may cause serious side effects, including neuropathy, low white blood cell count, allergic reactions, and harm to an unborn baby. This may not be a complete list of all side effects you might experience. Learn about the serious side effects of IXEMPRA.

The most common side effects of IXEMPRA, when used alone or with Xeloda, may include:

  • Tiredness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Problems with your toenails and fingernails
  • Hair loss
  • Fever
  • Decreased red blood cell count (anemia)
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Decreased platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain
  • Sores on the lip, in the mouth, and in the throat
  • Tender, red skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet (hand-foot syndrome). It may look like a sunburn. The skin may also become dry and peel or may feel numb and tingly

Learn more about possible side effects of IXEMPRA.

Learn about IXEMPRA used with Xeloda.

What Is IXEMPRA® (ixabepilone)?

IXEMPRA is a prescription medicine used to treat locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer following certain treatments. IXEMPRA can be used alone or with another cancer medicine called Xeloda® (capecitabine).

Talking With Your
Treatment Team About IXEMPRA

If you are learning about IXEMPRA, you may want to ask your healthcare provider:

  • Is IXEMPRA an option for me?

If you have been prescribed IXEMPRA, you may want to ask your healthcare provider:

  • What makes me an appropriate candidate for IXEMPRA?
  • What side effects could happen?

Chemotherapy

A type of cancer treatment that uses certain medicines to destroy cancer cells. It can also harm healthy cells

Locally advanced

Cancer that has spread from the breast to nearby tissue or lymph nodes

IXEMPRA is a trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
*Cremophor is a registered trademark of BASF AG.
Xeloda is a registered trademark of Roche Laboratories.
© 2010 Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 U.S.A. All rights reserved.

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Chemotherapy

A type of cancer treatment that uses certain medicines to destroy cancer cells. It can also harm healthy cells

Breast Cancer

A type of cancer treatment that uses certain medicines to destroy cancer cells. It can also harm healthy cells

Anthracycline

A type of medicine that damages the DNA in cancer cells, causing them to die

Anthracycline

A type of medicine that damages the DNA in cancer cells, causing them to die

Locally advanced

Cancer that has spread from the breast to nearby tissue or lymph nodes

Lymph nodes

Small masses of tissue that are an important part of the immune system. The lymph nodes act as filters that trap harmful things in the body

Metastatic

Cancer that has spread from the breast to other parts of the body

Preauthorization

When the insurance company decides if a treatment is medically necessary for the patient and will be paid for by the insurance company

Taxane

A type of medicine that stops cancer cells from dividing

Locally advanced

Cancer that has spread from the breast to nearby tissue or lymph nodes

Metastatic

Cancer that has spread from the breast to other parts of the body

Locally advanced

Cancer that has spread from the breast to nearby tissue or lymph nodes

Locally advanced

Cancer that has spread from the breast to nearby tissue or lymph nodes

Locally advanced

Cancer that has spread from the breast to nearby tissue or lymph nodes

Metastatic

Cancer that has spread from the breast to other parts of the body

Taxane

A type of medicine that stops cancer cells from dividing

Anthracycline

A type of medicine that damages the DNA in cancer cells, causing them to die

Lymph nodes

Small masses of tissue that are an important part of the immune system. The lymph nodes act as filters that trap harmful things in the body