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.

Possible Side Effects of IXEMPRA® (ixabepilone)

IXEMPRA works to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body. But it can also harm healthy fast-growing cells. This can cause certain side effects, some of which are serious. Your healthcare provider may suggest ways to help deal with side effects to help you stay on treatment. He or she may lower your dose or have you stop receiving IXEMPRA for a while or completely.

Learn more about:

Every person may have different side effects with IXEMPRA. How long you have certain side effects may depend on many things. There are steps you can take that may help when you are having certain side effects. Look at the Tips for Coping With Certain Side Effects page for tips you may want to try.

Women need to avoid breast-feeding during treatment. It is not known if IXEMPRA passes into breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take IXEMPRA or breast-feed. You should not do both.

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

You may want to ask your healthcare provider:

  • What are the most common side effects women have with IXEMPRA?
  • What are the serious side effects with IXEMPRA?
  • What should I do if I have side effects?
  • When should I call you?
  • Will my dose of IXEMPRA be reduced if I have side effects?

See Talking With Your Treatment Team for a full list of questions.

Chemotherapy

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

Important Safety Information | Full US Prescribing Information | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | For US Healthcare Providers | Glossary

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