Ifex Side Effects

Generic name: ifosfamide

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 1, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about ifosfamide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Ifex.

Applies to ifosfamide: intravenous powder for solution, intravenous solution.

Serious side effects of Ifex

Along with its needed effects, ifosfamide (the active ingredient contained in Ifex) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ifosfamide:

More common

• Agitation
• black, tarry stools
• blood in the urine
• chest pain
• confusion
• cough or hoarseness
• fever or chills
• frequent urination
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• shortness of breath
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swollen glands
• troubled breathing with exertion
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

• Abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness
• bleeding gums
• bluish color
• changes in skin color
• clay colored stools
• dark urine
• decreased appetite
• dizziness
• headache
• itching
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• pain
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• skin rash
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• yellow eyes or skin

Rare

• Blurred vision
• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
• confusion
• convulsions (seizures)
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• sweating
• troubled breathing
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Other side effects of Ifex

Some side effects of ifosfamide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Diarrhea
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth

Less common

• Redness, swelling, or pain at place of injection
• weight loss

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to ifosfamide: intravenous powder for injection, intravenous solution.

Genitourinary

Very common (10% or more): Hemorrhagic cystitis, hematuria, dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary retention

Frequency not reported: Infertility, ovarian failure, premature menopause, amenorrhea, ovulation disorder, azoospermia, oligospermia^[Ref]

Renal

Very common (10% or more): Renal dysfunction, acute renal failure

Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, aminoaciduria, phosphaturia, Fanconi syndrome, tubulointerstitial nephritis, renal structural damage, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, polyuria, enuresis, feeling of residual urine^[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Leukopenia (44%), anemia (38%)

Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenia

Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, febrile bone marrow aplasia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolytic uremic syndrome, neonatal anemia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea/vomiting (47%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea, stomatitis

Frequency not reported: Enterocolitis, pancreatitis, ileus, GI hemorrhage, mucosal ulceration, constipation, abdominal pain, salivary hypersecretion^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): CNS toxicity (e.g., 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) (15%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Peripheral neuropathy^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Alopecia

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dermatitis, papular rash

Frequency not reported: Angioedema, urticaria, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, radiation recall dermatitis, skin necrosis, facial swelling, rash, pruritus, erythema, skin hyperpigmentation, hyperhidrosis, nail disorder^[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Hepatotoxicity (increases in liver enzymes, i.e., serum alanine aminotransferase, serum aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and lactate dehydrogenase), increased bilirubin, jaundice, hepatorenal syndrome

Frequency not reported: Hepatic failure, veno-occlusive liver disease, portal vein thrombosis, cytolytic hepatitis^[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease (as manifested by pulmonary fibrosis), pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, dyspnea, hypoxia, cough^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reaction^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiotoxicity (e.g., congestive heart failure, tachycardia, pulmonary edema), hypotension

Frequency not reported: Arrythmia (including supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmia), atrial fibrillation, premature atrial contractions, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure, myocardial hemorrhage, angina pectoris, cardiomyopathy (including congestive cardiomyopathy), electrocardiogram ST-segment abnormal, electrocardiogram T-wave inversion, electrocardiogram QRS complex abnormal^[Ref]

Endocrine

Frequency not reported: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)^[Ref]

Immunologic

Very common (10% or more): Infection (10%)

Frequency not reported: Sepsis, septic shock, immunosuppression^[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Injection/infusion site reactions^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Rhabdomyolysis, osteomalacia, rickets, growth retardation, myalgia, arthralgia, muscle twitching^[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Visual impairment, conjunctivitis, eye irritation^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia

Frequency not reported: Tumor lysis syndrome, metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperglycemia, polydipsia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Mutism, mental status change (e.g., mania, paranoia, delusion, delirium, catatonia, amnesia, panic attack), echolalia, perseveration^[Ref]

Oncologic

Frequency not reported: Secondary malignancies, myelodysplastic alterations, acute leukemia, lymphoma, thyroid cancer, sarcomas^[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Secondary tumors (e.g., urinary tract carcinoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, acute leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoma [Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma], sarcomas, renal cell carcinoma, thyroid cancer), progressions of underlying malignancies, deafness tinnitus, vertigo, fetal growth retardation, phlebitis, fatigue, malaise, multiorgan failure, general physical deterioration, edema, pain, pyrexia, chills^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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