Warnings and precautions▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Myelosuppression: Can be severe and lead to fatal infections. Monitor blood counts prior to and at intervals after treatment. ( 5.1 ) • Neurotoxicity: Severe and fatal neurotoxicity can occur. Carefully monitor the patient for CNS toxicity and other neurotoxic effects. Discontinue therapy should encephalopathy develop. ( 5.2 ) • Urotoxicity: Severe nephrotoxicity with renal failure and death can occur. Monitor for nephrotoxicity with serum and urine chemistries. Mesna should be used to reduce hemorrhagic cystitis. ( 5.3 ) • Cardiotoxicity: Arrhythmias, other ECG changes, and cardiomyopathy can occur and result in death. Use with caution in patients with cardiac risk factors and in patients with preexisting cardiac disease. The risk of cardiotoxicity is dose dependent. ( 5.4 ) • Pulmonary toxicity: Interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and other forms of pulmonary toxicity with fatal outcomes can occur. Monitor for signs and symptoms of pulmonary toxicity and treat as clinically indicated ( 5.5 ) • Secondary malignancies as late sequelae have occurred. ( 5.6 ) • Pregnancy: Can cause fetal harm. Women should not become pregnant and men should not father a child during therapy. ( 5.8 ) • Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions have been reported. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Myelosuppression, Immunosuppression, and Infections Treatment with ifosfamide may cause myelosuppression and significant suppression of immune responses, which can lead to severe infections. Fatal outcomes of ifosfamide-associated myelosuppression have been reported. Ifosfamide-induced myelosuppression can cause leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia (associated with a higher risk of bleeding events), and anemia. The nadir of the leukocyte count tends to be reached approximately during the second week after administration. When Ifosfamide for Injection is given in combination with other chemotherapeutic/hematotoxic agents and/or radiation therapy, severe myelosuppression is frequently observed. The risk of myelosuppression is dose-dependent and is increased with administration of a single high dose compared with fractionated administration. The risk of myelosuppression is also increased in patients with reduced renal function. Severe immunosuppression has led to serious, sometimes fatal, infections. Sepsis and septic shock also have been reported. Infections reported with ifosfamide include pneumonias, as well as other bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections. Latent infections can be reactivated. In patients treated with ifosfamide, reactivation has been reported for various viral infections. Infections must be treated appropriately. Antimicrobial prophylaxis may be indicated in certain cases of neutropenia at the discretion of the managing physician. In case of neutropenic fever, antibiotics and/or antimycotics must be given. Close hematologic monitoring is recommended. White blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count and hemoglobin should be obtained prior to each administration and at appropriate intervals after administration. Unless clinically essential, Ifosfamide for Injection should not be given to patients with a WBC count below 2,000/µL and/or a platelet count below 50,000/µL. Ifosfamide for Injection should be given cautiously, if at all, to patients with presence of an infection, severe immunosuppression or compromised bone marrow reserve, as indicated by leukopenia, granulocytopenia, extensive bone marrow metastases, prior radiation therapy, or prior therapy with other cytotoxic agents. 5.2 Central Nervous System Toxicity, Neurotoxicity Administration of ifosfamide can cause CNS toxicity and other neurotoxic effects. The risk of CNS toxicity and other neurotoxic effects necessitates careful monitoring of the patient. Neurologic manifestations consisting of somnolence, confusion, hallucinations, blurred vision, psychotic behavior, extrapyramidal symptoms, urinary incontinence, seizures, and in some instances, coma, have been reported following Ifosfamide for Injection therapy. There have also been reports of peripheral neuropathy associated with ifosfamide use. Ifosfamide neurotoxicity may become manifest within a few hours to a few days after first administration and in most cases resolves within 48 to 72 hours of ifosfamide discontinuation. Symptoms may persist for longer periods of time. Supportive therapy should be maintained until their complete resolution. Occasionally, recovery has been incomplete. Fatal outcomes of CNS toxicity have been reported. Recurrence of CNS toxicity after several uneventful treatment courses has been reported. If encephalopathy develops, administration of ifosfamide should be discontinued. Due to the potential for additive effects, drugs acting on the CNS (such as antiemetics, sedatives, narcotics, or antihistamines) must be used with particular caution or, if necessary, be discontinued in case of ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy. Manifestations of CNS toxicity may impair a patient’s ability to operate an automobile or other heavy machinery. 5.3 Renal and Urothelial Toxicity and Effects Ifosfamide is both nephrotoxic and urotoxic. Glomerular and tubular kidney function must be evaluated before commencement of therapy as well as during and after treatment. Monitor urinary sediment regularly for the presence of erythrocytes and other signs of uro/nephrotoxicity. Monitor serum and urine chemistries, including phosphorus and potassium regularly. Administer appropriate replacement therapy as indicated. Renal parenchymal and tubular necrosis have been reported in patients treated with ifosfamide. Acute tubular necrosis, acute renal failure, and chronic renal failure secondary to ifosfamide therapy have been reported, and fatal outcome from nephrotoxicity has been documented. Disorders of renal function, (glomerular and tubular) following ifosfamide administration are very common. Manifestations include a decrease in glomerular filtration rate, increased serum creatinine, proteinuria, enzymuria, cylindruria, aminoaciduria, phosphaturia, and glycosuria as well as tubular acidosis. Fanconi syndrome, renal rickets, and growth retardation in children as well as osteomalacia in adults also have been reported. Development of a syndrome resembling SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion) has been reported with ifosfamide. Tubular damage may become apparent during therapy, months or even years after cessation of treatment. Glomerular or tubular dysfunction may resolve with time, remain stable, or progress over a period of months or years, even after completion of ifosfamide treatment. The risk and expected benefits of ifosfamide therapy should be carefully weighed when considering the use of ifosfamide in patients with preexisting renal impairment or reduced nephron reserve. Urotoxic side effects, especially hemorrhagic cystitis, have been very commonly associated with the use of Ifosfamide for Injection. These urotoxic effects can be reduced by prophylactic use of mesna. Hemorrhagic cystitis requiring blood transfusion has been reported with ifosfamide. The risk of hemorrhagic cystitis is dose-dependent and increased with administration of single high doses compared to fractionated administration. Hemorrhagic cystitis after a single dose of ifosfamide has been reported. Past or concomitant radiation of the bladder or busulfan treatment may increase the risk for hemorrhagic cystitis. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to exclude or correct any urinary tract obstructions [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . During or immediately after administration, adequate amounts of fluid should be ingested or infused to force dieresis in order to reduce the risk of urinary tract toxicity. Obtain a urinalysis prior to each dose of Ifosfamide for Injection. If microscopic hematuria (greater than 10 RBCs per high power field) is present, then subsequent administration should be withheld until complete resolution. Further administration of Ifosfamide for Injection should be given with vigorous oral or parenteral hydration. Ifosfamide should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with active urinary tract infections. 5.4 Cardiotoxicity Manifestations of cardiotoxicity reported with ifosfamide treatment include: - Supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias, including atrial/supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia - Decreased QRS voltage and ST-segment or T-wave changes - Toxic cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure with congestion and hypotension - Pericardial effusion, fibrinous pericarditis, and epicardial fibrosis Fatal outcome of ifosfamide-associated cardiotoxicity has been reported. The risk of developing cardiotoxic effects is dose-dependent. It is increased in patients with prior or concomitant treatment with other cardiotoxic agents or radiation of the cardiac region and, possibly, renal impairment. Particular caution should be exercised when ifosfamide is used in patients with risk factors for cardiotoxicity and in patients with preexisting cardiac disease. 5.5 Pulmonary Toxicity Interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and other forms of pulmonary toxicity have been reported with ifosfamide treatment. Pulmonary toxicity leading to respiratory failure as well as fatal outcome has also been reported. Monitor for signs and symptoms of pulmonary toxicity and treat as clinically indicated. 5.6 Secondary Malignancies Treatment with ifosfamide involves the risk of secondary tumors and their precursors as late sequelae. The risk of myelodysplastic alterations, some progressing to acute leukemias, is increased. Other malignancies reported after use of ifosfamide or regimens with ifosfamide include lymphoma, thyroid cancer, and sarcomas. The secondary malignancy may develop several years after chemotherapy has been discontinued. 5.7 Veno-occlusive Liver Disease Veno-occlusive liver disease has been reported with chemotherapy that included ifosfamide. 5.8 Pregnancy Ifosfamide for Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Fetal growth retardation and neonatal anemia have been reported following exposure to ifosfamide-containing chemotherapy regimens during pregnancy. Ifosfamide is genotoxic and mutagenic in male and female germ cells. Embryotoxic and teratogenic effects have been observed in mice, rats and rabbits at doses 0.05 to 0.075 times the human dose. Women should not become pregnant and men should not father a child during therapy with ifosfamide. Further, men should not father a child for up to 6 months after the end of therapy. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug or after treatment, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . 5.9 Effects on Fertility Ifosfamide interferes with oogenesis and spermatogenesis. Amenorrhea, azoospermia, and sterility in both sexes have been reported. Development of sterility appears to depend on the dose of ifosfamide, duration of therapy, and state of gonadal function at the time of treatment. Sterility may be irreversible in some patients. Female Patients Amenorrhea has been reported in patients treated with ifosfamide. The risk of permanent chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea increases with age. Pediatric patients treated with ifosfamide during prepubescence subsequently may not conceive and those who retain ovarian function after completing treatment are at increased risk of developing premature menopause. Male Patients Men treated with ifosfamide may develop oligospermia or azoospermia. Pediatric patients treated with ifosfamide during prepubescence might not develop secondary sexual characteristics normally, but may have oligospermia or azoospermia. Azoospermia may be reversible in some patients, though the reversibility may not occur for several years after cessation of therapy. Sexual function and libido are generally unimpaired in these patients. Some degree of testicular atrophy may occur. Patients treated with ifosfamide have subsequently fathered children. 5.10 Anaphylactic/Anaphylactoid Reactions and Cross-sensitivity Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions have been reported in association with ifosfamide. Cross-sensitivity between oxazaphosphorine cytotoxic agents has been reported. 5.11 Impairment of Wound Healing Ifosfamide may interfere with normal wound healing. 5.12 Nursing Ifosfamide is excreted in breast milk. Women must not breastfeed during treatment with ifosfamide [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.3 )] .
Adverse reactions▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS In clinical trials of ifosfamide monotherapy, the most common (≥ 10%) adverse reactions were alopecia, nausea/vomiting, leukopenia, anemia, CNS toxicity, hematuria, and infection. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC at 1-800-551-7176 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Adverse Reactions from Clinical Trials Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The adverse reactions and frequencies below are based on 30 publications describing clinical experience with fractionated administration of ifosfamide as monotherapy with a total dose of 4 to 12 g/m 2 per course. System Organ Class (SOC) Adverse Reaction Percentage (Ratio) INFECTIONS AND INFESTATIONS Infection 9.9% (112/1128) BLOOD AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM DISORDERS Leukopenia 1 (any) - 1a Leukopenia <1 x 10 3 /µL 43.5% (267/614) Thrombocytopenia 2 (any) - 2a Thrombocytopenia, 50 x 10 3 /µL 4.8% (35/729) Anemia 3 37.9% (202/533) METABOLISM AND NUTRITION DISORDERS Anorexia 1.1% (15/1317) NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS Central nervous system toxicity 4,5 15.4% (154/1001) Peripheral neuropathy 0.4% (5/1317) CARDIAC DISORDERS Cardiotoxicity 6 0.5% (7/1317) VASCULAR DISORDERS Hypotension 7 0.3% (4/1317) GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS Nausea/Vomiting 46.8% (443/964) Diarrhea 0.7% (9/1317) Stomatitis 0.3% (4/1317) HEPATOBILIARY DISORDERS Hepatotoxicity 8 1.8% (22/1190) SKIN AND SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUES DISORDERS Alopecia 89.6% (540/603) Dermatitis 0.08% (1/1317) Papular rash 0.08% (1/1317) RENAL AND URINARY DISORDERS Hemorrhagic cystitis - 9 Hematuria - without mesna 44.1% (282/640) - with mesna 21.3% (33/155) Macrohematuria - without mesna 11.1% (66/594) - with mesna 5.2% (5/97) Renal dysfunction 10 - Renal structural damage - GENERAL DISORDERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE SITE CONDITIONS Phlebitis 11 2.8% (37/1317) Neutropenic fever 12 1.0% (13/1317) Fatigue 0.3% (4/1317) Malaise Unable to calculate 1 The following adverse reaction terms have been reported for leukopenia: neutropenia, granulocytopenia, lymphopenia, and pancytopenia. For neutropenic fever, see below. 1a The frequency category of leukopenia is based on the frequency of leukopenia <3 x 10 3 /µL [42.5% (150/353) not shown in table] and <1 x 10 3 /µL; a relevant percentage ratio cannot be calculated for the pooled data and thus the conservative frequency category of “Very common” was included in the table. 2 Thrombocytopenia may also be complicated by bleeding. Bleeding with fatal outcome has been reported. 2a Frequency of thrombocytopenia is based on the frequency of thrombocytopenia <100 x 10 3 /µL [12.2% (24/196) not shown in table] and <50 x 10 3 /µL; a relevant percentage ratio cannot be calculated from the pooled data and thus the conservative frequency of “Very common” was included in the table. 3 Includes cases reported as anemia and decrease in hemoglobin/hematocrit. 4 Encephalopathy with coma and death has been reported. 5 Central nervous system toxicity was reported to be manifested by the following signs and symptoms: Abnormal behavior, Affect lability Aggression, Agitation, Anxiety, Aphasia, Asthenia, Ataxia, Cerebellar syndrome, Cerebral function deficiency, Cognitive disorder, Coma, Confusional state, Convulsions, Cranial nerve dysfunction, Depressed state of consciousness, Depression, Disorientation, Dizziness, Electroencephalogram abnormal, Encephalopathy, Flat affect. Hallucinations, Headache, Ideation, Lethargy, Memory impairment, Mood change, Motor dysfunction, Muscle spasms, Myoclonus, Progressive loss of brainstem reflexes, Psychotic reaction, Restlessness, Somnolence, Tremor, Urinary incontinence. 6 Cardiotoxicity was reported as congestive heart failure, tachycardia, pulmonary edema. Fatal outcome has been reported. 7 Hypotension leading to shock and fatal outcome has been reported. 8 Hepatotoxicity was reported as increases in liver enzymes, i.e., serum alanine aminotransferase, serum aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and lactate dehydrogenase, increased bilirubin, jaundice, hepatorenal syndrome. 9 Frequency of hemorrhagic cystitis is estimated based on the frequency of hematuria. Reported symptoms of hemorrhagic cystitis included dysuria and pollakiuria. See also Post-marketing Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ) . 10 Renal dysfunction was reported to be manifested as: Renal failure (including acute renal failure, irreversible renal failure; fatal outcomes have been reported), Serum creatinine increased, BUN increased, Creatinine clearance decreased, Metabolic acidosis, Anuria, Oliguria, Glycosuria, Hyponatremia, Uremia, Creatinine clearance increased. Renal structural damage was reported to be manifested as: Acute tubular necrosis, renal parenchymal damage, Enzymuria, Cylindruria, Proteinuria. 11 Includes cases reported as phlebitis and irritation of the venous walls. 12 Frequency of neutropenic fever: Includes cases reported as granulocytopenic fever. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of ifosfamide. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. INFECTIONS AND INFESTATIONS: The following manifestations have been associated with myelosuppression and immunosuppression caused by ifosfamide: increased risk for and severity of infections † , pneumonias † , sepsis and septic shock (including fatal outcomes), as well as reactivation of latent infections, including viral hepatitis † , Pneumocystis jiroveci † , herpes zoster, Strongyloides , progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy † , and other viral and fungal infections. † Severe immunosuppression has led to serious, sometimes fatal, infections. NEOPLASMS, BENIGN AND MALIGNANT AND UNSPECIFIED (INCL CYSTS AND POLYPS): As treatment-related secondary malignancy*, Acute leukemia* (Acute myeloid leukemia)*, Acute promyelocytic leukemia*, Acute lymphocytic leukemia*, Myelodysplastic syndrome, Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), Sarcomas*, Renal cell carcinoma, Thyroid cancer BLOOD AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM DISORDERS: Hematotoxicity*, Myelosuppression manifested as Bone marrow failure, Agranulocytosis; Febrile bone marrow aplasia; Disseminated intravascular coagulation, Hemolytic uremic syndrome, Hemolytic anemia, Neonatal anemia, Methemoglobinemia IMMUNE SYSTEM DISORDERS: Angioedema*, Anaphylactic reaction, Immunosuppression, Urticaria, Hypersensitivity reaction ENDOCRINE DISORDERS: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) METABOLISM AND NUTRITION DISORDERS: Tumor lysis syndrome, Metabolic acidosis, Hypokalemia, Hypocalcemia, Hypophosphatemia, Hyperglycemia, Polydipsia PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS: Panic attack, Catatonia, Mania, Paranoia, Delusion, Delirium, Bradyphrenia, Mutism, Mental status change, Echolalia, Logorrhea, Perseveration, Amnesia NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS: Convulsion*, Status epilepticus (convulsive and nonconvulsive), reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, Leukoencephalopathy, Extrapyramidal disorder, Asterixis, Movement disorder, Polyneuropathy, Dysesthesia, Hypothesia, Paresthesia, Neuralgia, Gait disturbance, Fecal incontinence, Dysarthria EYE DISORDERS: Visual impairment, Vision blurred, Conjunctivitis, Eye irritation EAR AND LABYRINTH DISORDERS: Deafness, Hypoacusis, Vertigo, Tinnitus CARDIAC DISORDERS: Cardiotoxicity*, Cardiac arrest*, Ventricular fibrillation*, Ventricular tachycardia*, Cardiogenic shock*, Myocardial infarction*, Cardiac failure*, Bundle branch block left, Bundle branch block right, Pericardial effusion, Myocardial hemorrhage, Angina pectoris, Left ventricular failure, Cardiomyopathy*, Congestive cardiomyopathy, Myocarditis*, Arrhythmia*, Pericarditis, Atrial fibrillation, Atrial flutter, Bradycardia, Supraventricular extrasystoles, Premature atrial contractions, Ventricular extrasystoles, Myocardial depression, Palpitations, Ejection fraction decreased*, Electrocardiogram ST-segment abnormal, Electrocardiogram T-wave inversion, Electrocardiogram QRS complex abnormal VASCULAR DISORDERS: Pulmonary embolism, Deep vein thrombosis, Capillary leak syndrome, Vasculitis, Hypertension, Flushing, Blood pressure decreased RESPIRATORY, THORACIC, AND MEDIASTINAL DISORDERS: Respiratory failure*, Acute respiratory distress syndrome*, Pulmonary hypertension*, Interstitial lung disease* as manifested by Pulmonary fibrosis*, Alveolitis allergic, Interstitial pneumonitis, Pneumonitis*, Pulmonary edema*, Pleural effusion, Bronchospasm, Dyspnea, Hypoxia, Cough GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS: Cecitis, Colitis, Enterocolitis, Pancreatitis, Ileus, Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, Mucosal ulceration, Constipation, Abdominal pain, Salivary hypersecretion HEPATOBILIARY DISORDERS: Hepatic failure*, Hepatitis fulminant*, Veno-occlusive liver disease, Portal vein thrombosis, Cytolytic hepatitis, Cholestasis SKIN AND SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE DISORDERS: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, Radiation recall dermatitis, Skin necrosis, Facial swelling, Petechiae, Macular rash, Rash, Pruritus, Erythema, Skin hyperpigmentation, Hyperhidrosis, nail disorder MUSCULOSKELETAL AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDER: Rhabdomyolysis, Osteomalacia, Rickets, Growth retardation, Myalgia, Arthralgia, Pain in extremity, Muscle twitching RENAL AND URINARY DISORDERS: Fanconi syndrome, Tubulointerstitial nephritis, Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, Phosphaturia, Aminoaciduria, Polyuria, Enuresis, Feeling of residual urine Fatal outcomes from acute and chronic renal failure have been documented. REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM AND BREAST DISORDERS: Infertility, Ovarian failure, Premature menopause, Amenorrhea, Ovarian disorder, Ovulation disorder, Azoospermia, Oligospermia, Impairment of spermatogenesis, Blood estrogen decreased, Blood gonadotrophin increased CONGENITAL, FAMILIAL AND GENETIC DISORDERS: Fetal growth retardation GENERAL DISORDERS AND ADMINISTRATIVE SITE CONDITIONS: Multi-organ failure*, General physical deterioration, Injection/Infusion site reactions including swelling, inflammation, pain, erythema, tenderness, pruritus; Chest pain, Edema, Mucosal inflammation, Pain, Pyrexia, Chills * Including fatal outcomes