The ICE chemotherapy protocol is used to treat patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (chemotherapyfacts.com). ICE stands for ifosfamide, cisplatin and etoposide, the chemotherapy drugs that are used in the regimen (chemotherapyfacts.com). Chemotherapy drugs, like all medications, have the potential to have side effects. Not everyone will experience all the possible side effects, and most side effects subside once treatment has ended (chemocare.com).
Ifosfamide Side Effects
Ifosfamide (brand name Ifex) is a chemotherapy drug known as an alkylating agent and is given intravenously (chemocare.com). Typical side effects include a low white and red blood cell count (which can lead to increased risk of infections and anemia), nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and blood in the urine (chemocare.com). Less common side effects of ifosfamide are neurotoxicity (sleepiness, confusion and possibly hallucinations), possible adverse effects on fertility, and an increased risk of developing leukemia in the future (chemocare.com). This drug can also irritate the bladder, so it is vital that you keep hydrated while receiving this treatment (cancer.org). If you have any concerns about potential side effects of this medication, talk to your doctor before starting treatment.
Cisplatin Side Effects
Cisplatin is the generic name for the drug Platinol (chemocare.com). It is given intravenously by a trained professional, because if the drug leaks from the vein, it can cause damage to tissues (chemocare.com). The most common side effects of cisplatin include nausea and vomiting, low white and red blood cell counts, and toxicity to the kidneys (which reverses post-treatment) (chemocare.com). Other side effects are ringing in the ears, hair loss, numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes (neuropathy), and a metallic taste in the mouth (chemocare.com). Ask your doctor about any further side effects prior to starting treatment with cisplatin.
Etoposide Side Effects
Etoposide (brand names VP-16 and Toposar) is the last drug used in the ICE protocol, and it can be given orally or intravenously (chemocare.com). Similar to the other drugs, etoposide may cause low blood cell counts, loss of hair, and nausea and vomiting, according to ChemoCare. It may also cause mouth sores, menopause, diarrhea, inflammation at the injection site, skin reactions, and an increased risk of a second cancer (cancer.org).
