Endoxan (Cyclophosphamide)

What is Endoxan (Cyclophosphamide)?

Endoxan tablet is an anticancer medicine that is given alone or in combination with other medicines for treating different types of malignant cancers.

It is effective in treating a kidney disease known as nephrotic syndrome in pediatric patients who do not respond to steroid treatments.

In case, steroids produce intolerable side effects for pediatric patients suffering from nephrotic syndrome then Endoxan tablet is recommended.

This medication can also be given to treat other medical conditions as determined by doctor.

Endoxan contains cyclophosphamide as its active ingredient and belongs to a class of drugs called anti-cancer medicines.

This medication can be purchased only after a prescription from a doctor.

To save on cyclophosphamide costs, you can purchase this medicine from a licensed online pharmacy that offers deals and discounts.

It is important to follow doctor’s direction for prescribed dosage to attain maximum benefits.

Cyclophosphamide uses

Doctors prescribe this medicine for following medical conditions:

• Treatment of cancer

Endoxan tablets aid in treating certain kinds of cancer effectively.

This medicine can be used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat cancer in various parts of body.

Cyclophosphamide dose helps to kill or stop growth of cancer cells & prevent multiplication of cancer cells.

• Treatment of nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney problem that makes your body pass too much protein in urine accompanied by excessive swelling.

This excessive swelling is on different parts of body like around eyes and in feet & ankles.

Endoxan tablets work by controlling immune system and decreasing inflammation & swelling that happen in nephrotic syndrome.

In this way, protein in urine is reduced and aid in getting rid of additional fluid, relieving swelling that happens in different parts of body.

This also assists in restoring normal kidney function and avoiding damage to kidneys.

How does Endoxan work in body?

Endoxan tablet is an anti-cancer medicine and alkylating agent that works by damaging genetic material of cancer cells.

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

How to take Endoxan?

Read patient information leaflet provided with medicine before starting treatment with Endoxan.

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

This medicine must be taken with food mainly in morning but at same time every day to get most benefit.

Your doctor will tell you what dose is required and how often you must take it.

This is going to depend upon what you are being treated for & might change from time to time. 

You must always take this medication exactly in same way as advised. Taking it in wrong way can cause severe side effects.

It can take several weeks or months for you to see or experience benefits but do not stop taking it unless a doctor recommends it.

Consume the tablet intact, refraining from crushing, chewing, or breaking it. Have a glass of plain water when taking this medication.

After administration, effect of this medication can be observed within 2 to 3 hours.

Drink plenty of fluids or urinate frequently to prevent urinary disorders when taking this medicine.

It is suggested to take this medicine with food if you experience irritation of stomach, mainly in morning.

• Missed dose

It is advised to not miss a dose of Endoxan tablet. However, if a dose is missed then immediately contact a doctor.

• Overdose

In case of an overdose of this medicine, you should immediately contact doctor and follow his/her advice.

Precautions and warnings for Endoxan

It is important to consider a few precautions and warnings for this medicine suggested by a doctor.

Do not take Endoxan 50 mg, if you are allergic to it, or cyclophosphamide, or have any other allergies.

This medication might contain some inactive ingredients which can cause allergic reactions.

Endoxan tablet is not suggested for use in patients suffering from acute infections, urinary tract infections, bone marrow aplasia & urinary outflow obstruction.

Before starting treatment with cyclophosphamide, let doctor know about your medical history, especially of:

• Bone marrow suppression
• Neutropenic fever
• Severe infections
• Concomitant chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Serious immune suppression
• Renal and urinary tract diseases
• Diabetes
• Respiratory failure
• Pneumonitis and secondary malignancies

This medicine should not be used by pregnant women as it can harm an unborn baby.

It is also not suggested for use in breastfeeding women because this medicine can pass through breast milk.

Cyclophosphamide tablets must be used with caution in children, adolescents, and elderly patients.

Intake of this drug can increase your risk of experiencing secondary tumors. Generally, urinary tract and thyroid gland are affected.

Close monitoring of symptoms is important. If malignancy develops then stop treatment with Endoxan immediately.

Sometimes, use of this medication can lower your count of white blood cells and platelets.

Close monitoring of complete blood cell counts is important before and during treatment with this medicine.

This medicine can cause weakness, dizziness, tiredness, or drowsiness in some patients.

Thus, it is advised to not perform any activities that demand high mental alertness like driving or using heavy machinery.

Side effects of Endoxan

Like other anti-cancer medicines, Endoxan can also cause some mild and serious side effects.

However, mild side effects disappear after some time when your body adjusts to this medicine.

Remember doctor has recommended this medication because he/she thinks its benefits are greater than side effects.

Some major and minor cyclophosphamide side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Black or tarry stools
• Fever and chills
• Hair loss
• Skin rash
• Weakness
• Increased sweating
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Vomiting & nausea
• Diarrhea

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

Interactions

Drug interaction can change working mechanism of Endoxan and even increase risk of experiencing side effects.

All drugs interact in different ways from person to person. You must check all possible interactions with a doctor before starting cyclophosphamide.

Share a list of all products that you use including prescription & non-prescription medicines and herbal supplements.

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

Here are some medicines which interact with Endoxan and should be avoided:

• Clozapine
• Warfarin
• Diltiazem

Storage

It is suggested to store this medicine at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.

Keep Endoxan tablets away from children and pets.

Frequently asked questions about Endoxan (FAQs)

• Can Endoxan tablet cause infertility?

Yes, Endoxan tablets can cause infertility in both men and women.

It might interfere with normal menstrual cycle in women and can stop production of sperm in men.

In case, you are considering becoming parents after treatment with this medicine then discuss it with doctor once.

You can talk to a doctor about freezing sperm or eggs before treatment due to irreversible infertility with therapy of Endoxan. 

• Is Endoxan tablet a chemotherapy medication?

Yes, Endoxan tablet is a chemotherapy medication because it belongs to a class of drugs called alkylating agents.

It works by killing cancer cells and is considered a cytotoxic medication.

• Can cyclophosphamide tablets cause weight loss?

Yes, this medicine might cause weight loss due to decreased appetite. This reduction in weight might be due to underlying cancer.

In case, weight loss is worrying you then consult your doctor once.

• Do you need to avoid sun exposure during treatment with an Endoxan tablet?

No, there is no evidence that sun exposure needs to be avoided during treatment with Endoxan tablets.

Skin and nail discoloration are rarely reported with this medicine.

• How long does cyclophosphamide stay in your system?

After administration, your body starts eliminating half of the medicine within 3 to 12 hours.