ICE chemotherapy is used to cure patients who suffer from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. ICE stands for the chemotherapy drugs that are used in the regime namely, ifosfamide, cisplatin and etoposide. ICE chemotherapy like any other chemotherapy has a few side effects. ICE chemotherapy side effects differ from person to person and the side effects reduce once the treatment is over.

We will differentiate the side effects of ICE Chemotherapy on the basis of the three different drugs prescribed during the treatment. Here are the side effects:

• Ifosfamide Side Effects: Ifosfamide is injected inside the veins of the patient. The most common side effects after the drug is infused in the patient is that there is a low count of white and red blood cells. This can increase the risk of anemia and infections. Apart from this, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine are also a few to name. The less known side effects from this medication include, sleepiness, confusion, hallucinations and the risk of developing leukemia in the future. It can also possibly have an adverse effect on fertility or also irritate the bladder. Patients should keep themselves hydrated while the treatment is on. One can also talk to the doctor if there are any concerns of a potential side effect, before beginning the treatment.
• Cisplatin Side Effects: Cisplatin is a general term used for the drug Platinol. The drug is infused into the veins by trained professional because if the drug is not injected properly or if it leaks from the vein it might damage the tissues. The most common side effects from this drug include, nausea, vomiting, toxicity to the kidneys or low count of white and red blood cells. A few other side effects include, numbness, hair loss, ear problems – the patient might experience ringing in the ears, tingling on the toes and the fingers, no taste – generally a metallic taste is felt in the mouth. An important advice to cancer patients is that they should always talk about all the side effects to the doctors so that they would be in a better position to treat you  and also bring positive changes in you. Doctors usually inform the patients about the Cisplatin chemotherapy application and the side effects  thatone might experience before the treatment is started.
• Etoposide Side Effects: Etoposide is the last drug that is used in the ICE chemotherapy treatment. The drug can either be given orally or injected into the patients veins directly. The side effects from this drug are similar to other chemotherapy drugs that include, loss of hair, low count of blood cells, vomiting and nausea. The drug intake might also cause menopause, mouth sores, diarrhea, inflammation at the injected site, skin allergies and reaction and a risk of second cancer. Etoposide is reported to be painful when induced into the patient.

ICE chemotherapy drugs are directly injected into the patient’s body with the help of a thin plastic tube. The tube is inserted under the skin into a vein near the collarbone. The side effects from chemotherapy differ from patient from patient. Sometimes, there are possibilities that the patient might not experience any side effects at all.