ixazomib

Diarrhea

May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment.

If you have diarrhea :

• Take anti-diarrhea medication if your health care team prescribed it.
• Avoid foods or drinks with artificial sweetener (e.g. chewing gum, “diet” drinks), coffee and alcohol.
• Eat many small meals and snacks instead of 2 or 3 large meals.
• Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day. Talk to your health care team if you can’t drink 6-8 cups of liquids each day when you have diarrhea. You may need special liquids with salt and sugar, called Oral Rehydration Therapy.

​See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information.

Constipation

To help prevent constipation :

• Drink more liquids and eat well. Drink at least 6 to 8 cups of liquids each day unless you have been told otherwise.
• Be Active. Exercise can help to keep you regular.
• Try to eat more fiber (e.g. fruits with skin, leafy greens and whole grains). If you take opioid pain medication, ask your health care team if eating more fibre is right for you.

To help treat constipation :

• If you have not had a bowel movement in 2 to 3 days you may need to take a laxative. Ask your health care team what to do.

See the Constipation Pamphlet for more information.

Unusual bleeding or bruising

You may have black stools, cough up blood, blood in your urine, purple or red dots on your skin or bleeding that will not stop. 

Fever, chills, infection

You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:

• 38.3°C (100.9°F) or higher at any time OR
• 38.0°C (or 100.4°F) or higher for at least one hour.

While you are getting chemotherapy treatments:

• Keep a digital thermometer at home and take your temperature if you feel hot or unwell (for example, chills).
• Avoid taking medications that treat a fever before you take your temperature (for example, Tylenol®, acetaminophen, Advil® or ibuprofen) as they may hide a fever.
• Do not eat or drink anything hot or cold right before taking your temperature.
• Wash your hands often.
• Check with your doctor before getting any vaccines, surgeries, medical procedures or visiting your dentist.

If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. 
See our Neutropenia (Low white blood cell count) pamphlet for more information.

Tingling, numb fingers and toes

• May slowly get better after your treatment ends.
• Contact your health care team if you have trouble doing up buttons, writing, picking up small objects, have pain or trouble moving.

Eye problems 

• You may have dry eyes, redness, irritation, pain, tearing, sensitivity to light or blurred vision.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses.
• You may try artificial tears or ointment. 

Fatigue (tiredness)

• Be active and aim to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise (you are able to talk comfortably while exercising) on most days. Check with your health care team before starting any new exercise.
• Pace yourself, do not rush. Put off less important activities. Rest when you need to.
• Eat well and stay hydrated by drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water or other liquids every day (unless your doctor told you to drink more or less).
• Avoid driving or using machinery if you are feeling tired

See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. 

Nausea and vomiting

May occur in hours to days after your treatment. 

If you have nausea or vomiting:

• Take anti-nausea medication(s) as prescribed to you by your doctor. 
• Drink clear liquids and have small meals. Get fresh air and rest.
• Do not eat spicy, fried foods or foods with a strong smell.
• Limit caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea) and alcohol.
• Contact your health care team if the prescribed anti-nausea medications are not helping to control your nausea and vomiting.

 Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information.

Mild swelling in arms and legs; puffiness

To help prevent swelling :

• Eat a low-salt diet.
• Avoid tight fitting clothing.

If you have swelling in your legs, keep your feet up when sitting.

Headache; mild joint, muscle pain or cramps 

• Take your pain medication as prescribed by your doctor.
• You can take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets as needed for mild aches and pains. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right dose for you.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first before taking ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin. These medication may increase bleeding risk.
• Rest often and try light exercise as it may help.

Rash; dry, itchy skin

Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away.

To prevent and treat dry skin,

• Use skin moisturizer.
• Protect your skin from the sun and the cold.
• Use sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and a SPF of at least 30.

Low appetite

• You may not feel like eating or you may lose weight.
• Try to eat foods that you like and eat small meals throughout the day. 
• You may need to take meal supplements to help keep your weight up.
• Talk to your health care team if you have a low appetite.
• See our Loss of appetite pamphlet for more information.

Dizziness

• You may feel light headed.
• Lay down if this happens.
• Get up and move slowly once you feel better.
• Do not drive a motor vehicle or use machinery if you feel dizzy.

Salt imbalances

It may cause muscle twitching, severe weakness or cramping, confusion and irregular heartbeat.

Liver problems

• You may have yellowish skin or eyes, unusually dark pee or pain on the right side of your belly.
• Your doctor may monitor your liver regularly with a blood test.

Inflammation of blood vessels in the skin

You may have red or purple patches on your skin or a rash that does not turn white when pressed.

Serious skin rash

It may occur on your body, face, arms or legs and cause blistering or peeling of your skin.

Inflammation of the nerves in your spine (spinal cord)

You may have weakness in your legs and arms, back pain, changes in or loss of sensation (i.e. numbness), and problems peeing or pooing.

Effects on your brain related to high blood pressure

• You may have a severe headache, fainting, seizures, confusion and vision loss.
• This may be related to your blood pressure being too high. 

Clots in small blood vessels, may lead to anemia

You may have red dots on skin, unusual bruising, bleeding, low platelets, pale skin and/or severe tiredness, passing little or no pee or dark-coloured pee. 

Rapid killing of cancer cells when you start treatment

• If mild, this may cause gout and joint pains. In some more severe cases, it may cause fevers, kidney problems, confusion and be life-threatening.
• Your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent these effects.
• Drink plenty of liquids (6 to 8 cups per day, unless you have been told otherwise) and pee frequently.