Side effects of ifosfamide.
Ifosfamide is relatively well tolerated but it can be associated occasionally with life-threatening complications such as arrhythmias and heart failure, severe encephalopathy and hemorrhagic cystitis. Mesna administration can control the urothelial toxicity of ifosfamide, but it is without effect on the other complications. Other preventive measures, such as amifostine or methylene blue administration, have not yet been adequately evaluated in a sufficient number of patients. Clinicians prescribing ifosfamide, especially in high doses, should be watchful for early signs of toxicity in order to discontinue ifosfamide administration soon enough to avoid development of major toxicity.
Institut Jules Bordet, Centre des Tumeurs de l'Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgique. jean.klastersky@bordet.be
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D000818:Animals; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D003556:Cystitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D007069:Ifosfamide