Get your patient on Ifex - Ifosfamide injection, Powder, For Solution (Ifosfamide)

Administer IFEX with extensive hydration consisting of at least 2 liters of oral or intravenous fluid per day to reduce the incidence or severity of bladder toxicity.

Administer IFEX with mesna to reduce the incidence or severity of hemorrhagic cystitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .

The recommended dosage of IFEX is 1.2 grams per m ² per day administered as a slow intravenous infusion (lasting at least 30 minutes) for 5 consecutive days. Treatment is repeated every 3 weeks or after recovery from hematologic toxicity.

Individualize the dose and dosing schedule of IFEX based on patient risk factors and adverse reactions.

IFEX is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. ¹

Skin reactions associated with accidental exposure to IFEX may occur. To minimize the risk of dermal exposure, always wear impervious gloves when handling vials and solutions containing IFEX. If IFEX solution contacts the skin or mucosa, immediately wash the skin thoroughly with soap and water or rinse the mucosa with copious amounts of water.

Prepare IFEX for intravenous use by adding Sterile Water for Injection, USP or Bacteriostatic Water for Injection, USP (benzyl alcohol or parabens preserved) to the vial and shaking to dissolve. Before administration, the substance must be completely dissolved. Use the quantity of diluents shown in Table 1 below to reconstitute the product:

Solutions of ifosfamide may be diluted further to achieve concentrations of 0.6 to 20 mg/mL in the following fluids:

• 5% Dextrose Injection, USP
• 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP
• Lactated Ringer’s Injections, USP
• Sterile Water for Injection, USP

Because essentially identical stability results were obtained for Sterile Water admixtures as for the other admixtures (5% Dextrose Injection, 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, and Lactated Ringer’s Injection), the use of large volume parenteral glass bottles, VIAFLEX bags or PAB bags that contain intermediate concentrations or mixtures of excipients (e.g., 2.5% Dextrose Injection, 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, or 5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection) is also acceptable.

Refrigerate constituted or constituted and further diluted solutions of IFEX and use within 24 hours. Benzyl-alcohol-containing solutions can reduce the stability of ifosfamide.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

Risk Summary

Based on mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] , and human and animal data (see Data) , IFEX 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.

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Animal studies indicate that ifosfamide is capable of causing gene mutations and chromosomal damage in vivo . In pregnant mice, resorptions increased and anomalies were present at day 19 after a 30 mg/m ² dose of ifosfamide was administered on day 11 of gestation. Embryo-lethal effects were observed in rats following the administration of 54 mg/m ² doses of ifosfamide from the 6th through the 15th day of gestation and embryotoxic effects were apparent after dams received 18 mg/m ² doses over the same dosing period. Ifosfamide is embryotoxic to rabbits receiving 88 mg/m ² /day doses from the 6th through the 18th day after mating. The number of anomalies was also significantly increased over the control group.

Risk Summary

Ifosfamide is excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse events, and the tumorigenicity shown for ifosfamide in animal studies, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with IFEX and for one week after the last dose.

IFEX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] .

Pregnancy Testing

Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating IFEX [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] .

Contraception

Females

Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with IFEX and for 12 months after the last dose.

Males

Advise males with female sexual partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with IFEX and for 6 months after the last dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] .

Infertility

Females

Amenorrhea has been reported in patients treated with ifosfamide. The risk of permanent chemotherapy induced amenorrhea increases with age.

Males

Men treated with ifosfamide may develop 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.

Females and Males

Based on animal studies, IFEX may impair fertility in females and males of reproductive potential. The reversibility of these effects is unknown [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] .

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients.

Renal rickets and growth retardation in pediatric patients treated with ifosfamide have been reported.

IFEX may cause temporary or permanent infertility in prepubertal girls or in females of child-bearing potential and may have an increased risk of developing premature menopause.

IFEX may cause abnormal secondary sexual characteristic development in prepubertal males. Sterility, azoospermia, and testicular atrophy have been reported in male patients. Azoospermia may be reversible in some patients, but may not occur for several years after cessation of IFEX therapy.

Clinical studies of IFEX did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.

A study of patients 40 to 71 years of age indicated that elimination half-life appears to increase with advancing age [see Pharmacokinetics (12.3) ]. This apparent increase in half-life appeared to be related to increases in volume of distribution of ifosfamide with age. No significant changes in total plasma clearance or renal or non-renal clearance with age were reported.

Ifosfamide and its metabolites are known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, closely monitor for adverse reactions and monitor renal function as clinically indicated.

Ifosfamide and its metabolites are known to be excreted by the kidneys and may accumulate in plasma with decreased renal function. Closely monitor patients with renal impairment for adverse reactions and consider dosage modifications. Ifosfamide and its metabolites are dialyzable .

Ifosfamide is extensively metabolized in the liver and forms both efficacious and toxic metabolites. Closely monitor patients with impaired hepatic function for adverse reactions during treatment with IFEX.

IFEX can cause myelosuppression that results in severe or fatal infections including sepsis or septic shock. Ifosfamide‑induced myelosuppression includes leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia (with bleeding events), and anemia. The nadir of the leukocyte count usually occurs during the second week after administration of IFEX. The risk of myelosuppression is dose‑dependent and increased in patients with reduced renal function, bone marrow metastases, prior radiation, and concomitant or prior therapy with other cytotoxic agents.

Monitor complete blood counts, including leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and hemoglobin prior to each administration of IFEX, at appropriate intervals during treatment, and as clinically indicated.

Myelosuppression may require dosage delays. Avoid administration of IFEX to patients with a WBC count below 2000/µL, a platelet count below 50,000/µL, or when signs or symptoms of active infection or severe immunosuppression are present.

IFEX can cause encephalopathy which may be fatal. Signs and symptoms may include confusion, somnolence, coma, hallucination, blurred vision, psychotic behavior, extrapyramidal symptoms, urinary incontinence, and seizures.

Risk factors include high ifosfamide dosage, hypoalbuminemia, impaired renal function, poor performance status, bulky abdominal-pelvic disease, nephrotoxic treatments including cisplatin, CNS active drugs, or alcohol use.

Signs and symptoms may occur or recur within hours to days after administration of IFEX. Continue supportive care until complete resolution of CNS signs and symptoms.

Monitor for signs and symptoms of encephalopathy during and after IFEX treatment. Dose interruption or permanent discontinuation may be required based on individual safety and tolerability. Consider methylene blue for treatment of encephalopathy.

IFEX can cause severe or fatal nephrotoxicity and urotoxicity including glomerular or tubular dysfunction, tubular necrosis, renal parenchymal necrosis, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, and hemorrhagic cystitis (requiring blood transfusion).

Tubular damage may occur up to years after cessation of IFEX treatment. The risk of nephrotoxicity is increased in patients with renal impairment or reduced nephron reserve. Hemorrhagic cystitis is dose‑dependent and the risk is increased with past or concomitant radiation of the bladder or busulfan treatment.

Evaluate glomerular and tubular kidney function before treatment with IFEX, during IFEX treatment, and as clinically indicated. Monitor serum and urine chemistries (including phosphorus and potassium) and urinary sediment for the presence of erythrocytes or other signs of nephrotoxicity. Signs and symptoms may include a decrease in glomerular filtration rate, increased serum creatinine, proteinuria, enzymuria, cylindruria, aminoaciduria, phosphaturia, glycosuria, osteomalacia, tubular acidosis, Fanconi syndrome, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).

Before starting treatment, exclude or correct any urinary tract obstructions [see Contraindications (4) ] . During or immediately after administration, provide oral or intravenous fluid to force dieresis to reduce the risk of urinary tract toxicity. Administer mesna with IFEX to reduce the incidence and severity of urotoxicity [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] .

Obtain a urinalysis prior to each dose of IFEX. Avoid administration of IFEX in patients with active urinary tract infections. If microscopic hematuria (greater than 10 RBCs per high power field) is present, then withhold administration of IFEX until complete resolution. Further administration of IFEX should be given with vigorous oral or parenteral hydration. Dosage interruption or permanent discontinuation may be required based on individual safety and tolerability.

IFEX can cause severe or fatal cardiotoxicity including any of the following:

• 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

Cardiotoxic effects are dose‑dependent and the risk is increased in patients with cardiac disease, prior or concomitant treatment with other cardiotoxic agents, radiation of the cardiac region, and renal impairment.

IFEX can cause severe or fatal pulmonary toxicities including interstitial pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and respiratory failure. Monitor for signs and symptoms of pulmonary toxicity and treat as clinically indicated.

The incidence of secondary malignancies is increased in patients treated with IFEX-containing regimens. Cases of myelodysplastic syndrome, acute leukemias, lymphomas, thyroid cancers, and sarcomas have occurred and may develop several years after chemotherapy has been discontinued.

Veno-occlusive liver disease has been reported with chemotherapy that included ifosfamide.

Based on mechanism of action and human and animal data, IFEX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) and Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] . 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.

Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiation of IFEX. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with IFEX and for up to 12 months after completion of therapy.

Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with IFEX and for 6 months after completion of therapy [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] .

Male and female reproductive function and fertility may be impaired in patients treated with IFEX. 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. Advise patients on the potential risks for infertility [see Use in Specific Populations 8. 3 and 8.4) ] .

Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions have been reported in association with ifosfamide.

Cross-sensitivity between oxazaphosphorine cytotoxic agents has been reported.

Ifosfamide may interfere with normal wound healing.

Because clinical trials are conducted from 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 in Table 2 below are based on 30 publications describing clinical experience with fractionated administration of ifosfamide as a single agent with a total dose of 4 to 12 g/m ² per course.

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of IFEX. 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.

Blood and Lymphatic Disorders : agranulocytosis, febrile bone marrow aplasia, bone marrow failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolytic anemia, hemolytic febrile uremic syndrome, methemoglobinemia, neonatal anemia

Cardiac Disorders : cardiac arrest•, cardiac failure•, arrhythmia•, cardiomyopathy•, cardiotoxicity, cardiac shock, ejection fraction decreased•, myocardial infarction•, myocarditis•, ventricular fibrillation•, ventricular tachycardia•, angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, bradycardia, bundle branch block left, bundle branch block right, congestive cardiomyopathy, electrocardiogram ST – segment abnormal, electrocardiogram QRD complex abnormal, electrocardiogram T-wave inversion, myocardial depression, myocardial hemorrhage, left ventricular failure, premature atrial contractions, palpitations, pericardial effusion, pericarditis, supraventricular extrasystoles, ventricular extrasystoles

Congenital Disorders : fetal growth retardation

Ear Disorders : deafness, hypoacusis, tinnitus, vertigo

Endocrine Disorder : SIADH

Eye Disorders : conjunctivitis, eye irritation, vision blurred, visual impairment

Gastrointestinal Disorders : abdominal pain, cecitis, colitis, constipation, enterocolitis, ileus, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, mucosal ulceration, pancreatitis, salivary hypersecretion

General Disorders and Administrative Site Conditions : multi‑organ failure•, chest pain, chills, injection/infusion site reactions (including erythema, inflammation, pain, pruritus, swelling, tenderness), edema, general physical deterioration, mucosal inflammation, pain, pyrexia

Hepatobiliary Disorders : hepatic failure•, hepatitis fulminant• cholestasis, cytolytic hepatitis, portal vein thrombosis, veno‑occlusive liver disease

Immune System Disorders : anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, hypersensitivity reaction, immunosuppression, urticaria

Infections :

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

Metabolic and Nutrition Disorders : hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, polydipsia, tumor lysis syndrome

Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders : arthralgia, growth retardation, myalgia, muscle twitching, osteomalacia, pain in extremity, rhabdomyolysis, rickets

Neoplasms : secondary malignancies•, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute promyelocytic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, Non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma, renal cell carcinoma, sarcomas, thyroid cancer

Nervous System Disorders : seizure•, asterixis, dysarthria, dysesthesia, extrapyramidal disorder, fecal incontinence, gait disturbance hypothesia, leukoencephalopathy, movement disorder, neuralgia, paresthesia, polyneuropathy, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. Ifosfamide has been reintroduced after neurotoxicity. While some patients did not experience neurotoxicity, others had recurrent, including fatal, events.

Psychiatric Disorders : amnesia, bradyphrenia, catatonia, delirium, delusion, echolalia, logorrhea, mania mental status change, mutism, paranoia, panic attack, perseveration

Renal and Urinary Disorders : aminoaciduria, diabetes insipidus, enuresis, Fanconi syndrome, feeling of residual urine, nephrogenic phosphaturia, polyuria, tubulointerstitial nephritis

Reproductive System and Breast Disorders : amenorrhea, azoospermia, decreased blood estrogen, impairment of spermatogenesis, increased blood gonadotrophin, infertility, oligospermia, ovarian disorder, ovarian failure, ovulation disorder, premature menopause

Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders: acute respiratory distress syndrome•, pulmonary fibrosis•, pneumonitis•/interstitial lung disease•, pulmonary edema•, pulmonary hypertension•, respiratory failure•, alveolitis allergic, bronchospasm, cough, dyspnea, hypoxia, pleural effusion

Skin and Subcutaneous Disorders : erythema, facial swelling, hyperhidrosis, macular rash, nail disorder, palmar‑plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, petechiae, pruritus, radiation recall dermatitis, rash, skin hyperpigmentation, skin necrosis, Stevens‑Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Vascular Disorders: capillary leak syndrome, deep vein thrombosis, flushing, hypertension, pulmonary embolism, vasculitis

• Includes fatal outcomes

CYP3A4 inducers may increase the metabolism of ifosfamide to its active alkylating metabolites. CYP3A4 inducers may increase the formation of the neurotoxic/nephrotoxic ifosfamide metabolite, chloroacetaldehyde. Closely monitor patients taking ifosfamide with CYP3A4 inducers for toxicities and consider dose adjustment.

CYP3A4 inhibitors may decrease the metabolism of ifosfamide to its active alkylating metabolites, perhaps decreasing the effectiveness of ifosfamide treatment.

Ifosfamide is a prodrug that requires metabolic activation by hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzymes to exert its cytotoxic activity. Activation occurs by hydroxylation at the ring carbon atom forming the unstable intermediate 4-hydroxyifosfamide and its ring-opened aldo tautomer, which decomposes to yield the cytotoxic and urotoxic compound acrolein and an alkylating isophosphoramide mustard.

The exact mechanism of action of ifosfamide has not been determined, but its cytotoxic action is primarily through DNA crosslinks caused by alkylation by the isophosphoramide mustard at guanine N-7 positions. The formation of inter- and intra-strand cross-links in the DNA results in cell death.

Ifosfamide exhibits dose-dependent pharmacokinetics in humans. At single doses of 3.8 to 5.0 g/m ² , the plasma concentrations decay biphasically and the mean terminal elimination half-life is about 15 hours. At doses of 1.6 to 2.4 g/m ² /day, the plasma decay is monoexponential and the terminal elimination half-life is about 7 hours.

Ifosfamide exhibits time-dependent pharmacokinetics in humans. Following intravenous administration of 1.5 g/m ² over 0.5 hour once daily for 5 days to 15 patients with neoplastic disease, a decrease in the median elimination half-life from 7.2 hour on Day 1 to 4.6 hours on Day 5 occurred with a concomitant increase in the median clearance from 66 mL/min on Day 1 to 115 mL/min on Day 5. There was no significant change in the volume of distribution on Day 5 compared with Day 1.

Distribution

Ifosfamide volume of distribution (Vd) approximates the total body water volume, suggesting that distribution takes place with minimal tissue binding. Following intravenous administration of 1.5 g/m ² over 0.5 hour once daily for 5 days to 15 patients with neoplastic disease, the median Vd of ifosfamide was 0.64 L/kg on Day 1 and 0.72 L/kg on Day 5. Ifosfamide shows little plasma protein binding. Ifosfamide and its active metabolites are extensively bound by red blood cells. Ifosfamide is not a substrate for P-glycoprotein.

Metabolism

Ifosfamide is extensively metabolized in humans through two metabolic pathways: ring oxidation ("activation") to form the active metabolite, 4-hydroxy-ifosfamide and side-chain oxidation to form the inactive metabolites, 3-dechloro-ethylifosfamide or 2-dechloroethylifosfamide with liberation of the toxic metabolite, chloroacetaldehyde. Small quantities (nmol/mL) of ifosfamide mustard and 4‑hydroxyifosfamide are detectable in human plasma. Metabolism of ifosfamide is required for the generation of the biologically active species and while metabolism is extensive, it is also quite variable among patients.

Excretion

After administration of doses of 5 g/m ² of ¹⁴ C-labeled ifosfamide, from 70% to 86% of the dosed radioactivity was recovered in urine as metabolites, with about 61% of the dose excreted as parent compound. At doses of 1.6 to 2.4 g/m ² only 12% to 18% of the dose was excreted in the urine as unchanged drug within 72 hours. Two different dechloroethylated derivatives of ifosfamide, 4-carboxyifosfamide, thiodiacetic acid and cysteine conjugates of chloroacetic acid have been identified as the major urinary metabolites of ifosfamide in humans and only small amounts of 4‑hydroxyifosfamide and acrolein are present.

Specific Populations

Pediatric Patients

Population PK analysis was performed on plasma data from 32 pediatric patients various malignant diseases aged between 1 and 18 years. Patients received a total of 45 courses of ifosfamide at doses of 1.2, 2.0 and 3.0 g/m ² given intravenously over 1 or 3 hours on 1, 2, or 3 days. The mean±standard error population estimates for the initial clearance and volume of distribution of ifosfamide were 2.4±0.33 L/h/m ² and 21±1.6 L/m ² with an interindividual variability of 43% and 32%, respectively.

Effect of Age

A study of 20 patients between 40 to 71 years of age receiving 1.5 g/m ² of ifosfamide daily for 3 or 5 days indicated that elimination half‑life appears to increase with age. The elimination half‑life increase appeared to be related to the increase in ifosfamide volume of distribution with age. No significant changes in total plasma clearance or renal clearance with age were reported.

Ifosfamide has been shown to be carcinogenic in rats when administered by intraperitoneal injection at 6 mg/kg (37 mg/m ² , or about 3% of the daily human dose on a mg/m ² basis) 3 times a week for 52 weeks. Female rats had a significantly higher incidence of uterine leiomyosarcomas and mammary fibroadenomas than vehicle controls.

The mutagenic potential of ifosfamide has been documented in bacterial systems in vitro and mammalian cells in vivo . In vivo , ifosfamide has induced mutagenic effects in mice and Drosophila melanogaster germ cells, and has induced a significant increase in dominant lethal mutations in male mice as well as recessive sex-linked lethal mutations in Drosophila.

Ifosfamide was administered to male and female beagle dogs at doses of 1.00 or 4.64 mg/kg/day (20 or 93 mg/m ² ) orally 6 days a week for 26 weeks. Male dogs at 4.64 mg/kg (about 7.7% of the daily clinical dose on a mg/m ² basis) had testicular atrophy with degeneration of the seminiferous tubular epithelium. In a second study, male and female rats were given 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg (0, 150, 300, or 600 mg/m ² ) ifosfamide intraperitoneally once every 3 weeks for 6 months. Decreased spermatogenesis was observed in most male rats given 100 mg/kg (about half the daily clinical dose on a mg/m ² basis).