From Pam Stephan,
Your Guide to Breast Cancer.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by V.K. Gadi, MD

Definition

Ixempra is a chemotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer. It is used after certain other drugs have been tried and your cancer either doesn’t respond, or is no longer responding to treatment. Ixempra is member of the epothilones, a new family of anticancer drugs.

Also known as: Ixabepilone

Use for Breast Cancer

This drug is used to treat metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer. Ixempra is prescribed only for patients whose tumors are resistant to, or no longer benefiting from anthracyclines (such as Adriamycin), taxanes (such as Taxol), and capecitabine (Xeloda).

How it Works

Ixempra is part of the antineoplastic agent class of drugs. This drug slows or prevents the growth of a neoplasm, or tumor, by preventing cell division.

How Ixempra is Given

Ixempra is given as an intravenous infusion into a vein or port. It can be given alone, or in conjunction with the oral drug capecitabine (Xeloda).

About an hour before your infusion, you will be given premedications that reduce your chance of an allergic reaction. If you do have an allergic reaction, you can be given a steroid before your infusion.

This drug is usually given once every three weeks, and infusions take about three hours each.

Ixempra - Side Effects, Risks, Recommendations