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Updated September 26, 2013.

Ixempra is a chemotherapy drug used to treat metastatic and locally advanced breast cancer. As with any drug, it carries risk of potential side effects -- not all of which will be experienced by everyone who takes it.

Common Side Effects of Ixempra

• Fatigue
• Appetite loss
• Hair loss
• Problems with fingernails and toenails
• Fever
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)

• Headache
• Joint and muscle pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation; abdominal pain
• Sores on your lips, inside your mouth and esophagus
• Hand-foot syndrome (tender, red, dry and peeling skin)

Possible Serious Side Effects of Ixempra

• Neuropathy (nerve damage) in your hands and feet
• Neutropenia (low white blood cell count; risk of infection)
• Allergic reactions (itching; hives; rash; flushed face; heart palpitations; troubled breathing; swollen face, throat or tongue)

Other Risks of Using Ixempra

• May cause harm to unborn baby
• May leach into breast milk
• Can cause adverse reactions in patients with cardiac disease

Do Not Take Ixempra If:

• You have poor liver function
• You have liver problems and already take capecitabine
• You have an allergy to Cremophor EL or castor oil
• Your white blood cell is lower than 1500 cells/mm³ or platelet counts are less than <100,000 cells/mm³
• You are pregnant

Recommendations During Treatment

• Use contraception to prevent pregnancy
• Avoid grapefruit juice during an infusion, as it can amplify your side effects

• Avoid driving or operating machinery, as the alcohol in Ixempra may cause drowsiness and dizziness

Ixempra - Description, Use, Dosage

Curious about potential side effects of other drugs? Check out About.com's Drug Finder.

_{Sources: FDA. Drugs@FDA. Ixempra Drug Details. Approved: October 16, 2007}