ixabepilone + rifampin

I**xabepilone + rifampin** is an investigational drug combination that consists of ixabepilone, an epothilone B analog and microtubule stabilizer, and rifampin, a rifamycin class antibacterial. Ixabepilone is approved for the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer, especially in patients resistant to anthracyclines and taxanes, acting by stabilizing microtubules and inducing apoptosis. Rifampin is an antibacterial agent that inhibits bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and is widely used for tuberculosis and other infections. This combination does not represent a marketed product but is of pharmacological interest due to potential drug-drug interactions: rifampin is a potent inducer of CYP3A4, the cytochrome P450 enzyme responsible for the metabolism of ixabepilone, and co-administration significantly decreases ixabepilone plasma concentrations, potentially reducing efficacy.

Brand names

IxempraRifadin

Other names

ixabepilonerifampicin