Cyclophosphamide

What is Cyclophosphamide?

Cyclophosphamide is an anticancer medicine that is effective in treating several types of adult and childhood cancers.

It is also prescribed by doctors to treat certain types of kidney disorders in children known as nephrotic syndrome.

Doctors prescribe cyclophosphamide doses along with other anticancer medicines.

You can find Cyclophosphamide in market under different brand names like Cytoxan.

During your treatment with this medicine, it is important to follow doctor’s direction for prescribed dosage.

This medicine is available in different forms including Cyclophosphamide tablet and injection.

You can save on cost of Cytoxan, by purchasing it from a licensed online pharmacy that offers exciting discounts and deals.

Also, this medicine can be purchased from a drugstore only after a prescription from a doctor.

Medical uses of Cyclophosphamide

This medicine is prescribed for following medical conditions:

• Mycosis fungoides
• Lymphomas
• Multiple myeloma
• Ovarian cancer
• Leukemias
• Breast cancer
• Some childhood cancers like Retinoblastoma, neuroblastoma
• Nephrotic syndrome

How does Cyclophosphamide work in your body?

Cyclophosphamide is an effective anti-cancer medicine and alkylating agent that works by damaging genetic material (DNA & RNA) of cancer cells.

This further stops growth and multiplication of cancer cells. In this way, Cyclophosphamide works against cancer.

How long does cyclophosphamide stay in your system?

Your body starts eliminating half of medicine within 3 to 12 hours.

How to take Cyclophosphamide?

Read patient information leaflet carefully before starting your treatment with this medicine.

If there is any confusion or doubt about Cyclophosphamide or its dosage then discuss it with doctor.

With a glass of ordinary water, take this medication orally. Crushed, chewed, or shattered objects are not permitted.

Doctor will determine right dosage of this medicine based on your medical condition, response to treatment, weight, and other treatments.

During treatment with this medicine, you need to drink more fluids than usual and pass urine often to avoid bladder & kidney side effects.

You can discuss with doctor how much you must drink water and how often to empty your bladder each day.

This medicine might get absorbed through your skin & lungs and might harm an unborn baby.

Women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant must not handle this medicine or breathe dust from tablets.

Without approval from a doctor, do not increase your dose or take this medicine more often than recommended.

Your condition is not going to improve faster and risk of severe side effects might be increased.

• Missed dose

It is necessary to take each dose of this medicine exactly in same way as directed by a doctor.

In case, you miss a dose of Cyclophosphamide then let your doctor know for a new dosing schedule.

Never double your dosage of this medicine just to catch up on missed one.

• Overdose

In case, you have overdosed and experience severe symptoms like passing out or trouble breathing then call a doctor immediately.

Precautions and warnings for Cyclophosphamide

Before taking Cyclophosphamide, inform doctor if you are allergic to it, or to chemotherapy, or have any other allergies.

This medicine might contain some inactive ingredients which can cause you allergic reactions or other problems.

Before using this medicine, let doctor know about your medical history, especially of:

• Decreases bone marrow function
• Kidney disease
• Liver disorder
• Surgery to remove your adrenal glands
• Problem in urinating

Intake of this medicine can cause you to get infections or can make your existing infections worse.

Make sure to stay away from people who have an infection that can easily spread like measles, chickenpox, or flu.

In case, you have been exposed to an infection then immediately contact a doctor.

Inform your doctor about using Cyclophosphamide before having any vaccinations or immunizations.

Also, you must not come in contact with people who have recently received any live vaccines like flu vaccine.

Children can be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine, particularly possible infertility later in life.

Inform your physician if you intend to get pregnant or are currently pregnant. Women must not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine.

Cyclophosphamide tablets can harm an unborn baby, so be careful and follow your doctor’s direction.

Women using this medicine must ask about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for at least 1 year after last dosage.

Men taking this tablet should also know about reliable forms of birth control during treatment and for 4 months after last dosage.

You need to know this medicine passes into breast milk and can harm a nursing infant.

Breastfeeding is not suggested while using this medicine & for 1 week after last dose.

Side effects of Cyclophosphamide

Like other medicines, you can also experience some Cyclophosphamide side effects.

Though mild side effects start to disappear as your body adjusts to this medicine after some time.

Temporary hair loss might occur. After your treatment ends, your hair growth should return or might even return during treatment.

Remember new hair can have a different color or texture. People using this medicine can also have serious side effects.

However, your doctor has prescribed this medication because he has judged that benefits to you are more when compared to risk of side effects.  

Some minor and major side effects of Cyclophosphamide include:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lack of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Severe infections
• Kidney or bladder disorders
• Serious bleeds
• Seizures
• Liver problems

Though this medicine is used to treat cancer in some patients but it can also increase risk of suffering from another type of cancer.

Let your doctor know immediately if you develop swollen glands, unusual growths, sudden weight loss, pain in pelvis, or frequent urination.

This is not a complete list of side effects. You might experience other adverse effects as well.

Get emergency medical help, if any of your side effects continue or become worse with time.

Interactions

Drug interactions can change how your medicines work or sometimes increase risk of serious side effects.

Do not start, stop, or change dosage of any medicines without a doctor’s

approval.

Share a list of all products that you use including prescription & non-

prescription drugs and herbal supplements.

Some medicines which interact with Cyclophosphamide include:

• Chloramphenicol
• Allopurinol
• Digoxin
• Chloroquine
• Phenobarbital
• Primidone
• St John’s wort
• Phenothiazines

Storage

This medicine should be stored at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.

Keep Cyclophosphamide tablets out of reach of children and pets.

Frequently asked questions about Cyclophosphamide (FAQs)

• Is Cyclophosphamide a chemotherapy medication?

Yes, Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy medication that belongs to a class of drugs called alkylating agents.

This medicine helps to kill cancer cells and is also known as a cytotoxic drug.

• Can Cyclophosphamide make you suffer from cancer?

Cancer medications and radiation therapy might increase risk of developing another type of cancer.

These might not develop immediately and can take some years after your treatment is completed.

You need to know that risk of developing cancer with this medicine is high in your urinary bladder.

Other rare cancers that might occur with use of cyclophosphamide injection include cancer of ureters, acute leukemia, and Myelodysplastic syndrome.

• Is Cytoxan safe if I have kidney disorders?

You might be at high risk of experiencing side effects if you have kidney disorders, mainly when they are serious.

Your body might find it hard to break down cyclophosphamide, causing higher levels of this medicine in your body and toxicity.

In case, you are on dialysis then you can receive this medicine but first talk to a doctor about your treatment and dialysis plan. 

• Can you breastfeed baby while taking cyclophosphamide tablet?

Treatment with this medicine is not recommended when breastfeeding. Cyclophosphamide passes into breast milk and causes severe harm to nursing babies like diarrhea and low blood cell counts.

• Can cyclophosphamide be used for treating non-cancer conditions?

Yes, cyclophosphamide tablets can be used to treat nephrotic syndrome in children whose disease has not improved, or has returned after taking other medicines or has got worse.