Ixabepilone Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 21, 2025.
Applies to ixabepilone: intravenous powder for solution.
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Intravenous route (powder for solution)
Ixabepilone in combination with capecitabine is contraindicated in patients with AST or ALT greater than 2.5 times the ULN or bilirubin greater than 1 time the ULN due to an increased risk of toxicity and neutropenia-related death.
Serious side effects of ixabepilone
Along with its needed effects, ixabepilone 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 ixabepilone:
More common side effects
- black, tarry stools
- body aches or pain
- burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
- burning pain on urination
- chest pain or tightness
- chills
- cough
- difficult or labored breathing
- ear congestion
- fever
- headache
- loss of voice
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- red, swelling, or painful skin
- runny or stuffy nose
- scaling of the skin on the hands and feet
- sneezing
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth
- swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
- swollen glands
- tingling of the hands and feet
- trouble breathing
- ulceration of the skin
- unsteadiness or awkwardness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- unusual weight gain
- weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Less common side effects
- bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- confusion
- decreased urination
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
- hives, itching, skin rash
- hoarseness
- increase in heart rate
- irritation
- joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- lightheadedness
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- rapid breathing
- sunken eyes
- swelling of the eyelids, face, or lips
- thirst
- trouble with swallowing
- wrinkled skin
Other side effects of ixabepilone
Some side effects of ixabepilone 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 side effects
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- bone pain
- change in taste
- cracked lips
- diarrhea
- difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
- feeling of warmth
- hair loss or thinning of the hair
- heartburn
- lack or loss of strength
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- stomach pain
- sudden sweating
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- vomiting
- weight loss
Less common side effects
- darkening of the skin
- flaking and falling off of the skin
- trouble sleeping
- watering of the eyes
For healthcare professionals
Applies to ixabepilone: intravenous powder for injection.
Hematologic adverse events
- Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (Grade 4) (36%), leukopenia (41%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Febrile neutropenia, infection with neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia
- Frequency not reported: Coagulopathy, lymphopenia, hemorrhage[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
- Common (1% to 10%): Flushing, rash, dyspnea, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis[Ref]
Nervous system
- Very common (10% or more): Peripheral neuropathy (all Grades) (67%), sensory neuropathy (65%), peripheral neuropathy (Grade 3 or 4) (23%), motor neuropathy (16%), taste disorder (12%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
- Frequency not reported: Cognitive disorder, syncope, cerebral hemorrhage, abnormal coordination, lethargy[Ref]
Cardiovascular
- Common (1% to 10%): Myocardial ischemia, ventricular dysfunction, hot flush
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Supraventricular arrhythmia
- Frequency not reported: Myocardial infarction, supraventricular arrhythmia, left ventricular dysfunction, angina pectoris, atrial flutter, cardiomyopathy, myocardial ischemia, hypotension, thrombosis, embolism, hypovolemic shock, vasculitis[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
- Very common (10% or more): Myalgia/arthralgia (39%), musculoskeletal pain (23%)
- Frequency not reported: Muscular weakness, muscle spasms, trismus[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Very common (10% or more): Nausea (53%), abdominal pain (24%), constipation (22%), stomatitis/mucositis, diarrhea
- Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration, gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Frequency not reported: Enterocolitis, ileus, colitis, impaired gastric emptying, esophagitis, dysphagia, gastritis, GI hemorrhage[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Very common (10% or more): Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (64%), alopecia (31%), nail disorder (24%), skin rash (17%), skin hyperpigmentation (14%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, skin exfoliation
- Frequency not reported: Erythema multiforme
- Postmarketing reports: Radiation recall[Ref]
Respiratory
- Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infection, dyspnea, cough
- Frequency not reported: Pneumonia, laryngitis, lower respiratory tract infection, pneumonitis, hypoxia, respiratory failure, acute pulmonary edema, dysphonia, pharyngolaryngeal pain[Ref]
Hepatic
- Frequency not reported: Acute hepatic failure, jaundice, increased transaminases, increased blood alkaline phosphatase, increased gamma-glutamyltransferase[Ref]
Renal
- Frequency not reported: Nephrolithiasis, renal failure[Ref]
Metabolic
- Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (34%), weight loss (11%)
- Frequency not reported: Hyponatremia, metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia, hypovolemia[Ref]
Ocular
- Common (1% to 10%): Increased lacrimation[Ref]
Other
- Very common (10% or more): Fatigue/asthenia (60%), pyrexia (10%)
- Common (1% to 10%): Edema, pain, chest pain
- Frequency not reported: Chills[Ref]
Immunologic
- Frequency not reported: Sepsis, infection, neutropenic infection, bacterial infection[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Frequency not reported: Urinary tract infection[Ref]
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References
1. (2007) "Product Information. Ixempra (ixabepilone)." Bristol-Myers Squibb
More about ixabepilone
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Further information
Ixabepilone side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.