Generic Name: cyclophosphamide (oral/injection) (sye kloe FOSS fah mide)
Brand Names: Cytoxan, Cytoxan Lyophilized, Neosar
What is cyclophosphamide?
Cyclophosphamide is a cancer (chemotherapeutic) medication. Cyclophosphamide interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Cyclophosphamide is used to treat several types of cancer. Cyclophosphamide is also used to treat certain cases of nephrotic syndrome (kidney disease) in children.
Cyclophosphamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about cyclophosphamide?
Cyclophosphamide should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Serious side effects have been reported with the use of cyclophosphamide including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat); bladder problems; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with cyclophosphamide.
In some cases, secondary cancers have been reported to occur during and following treatment with cyclophosphamide. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cyclophosphamide?
Before taking cyclophosphamide, tell your doctor if you
have an infection or have had recent vaccinations;
have a low level of white blood cells or platelets (detected by blood tests);
have bone marrow problems;
have been previously treated with x-ray therapy;
have been previously treated with other chemotherapy medicines (i.e., Alkeran, CeeNU, Leukeran, Myleran, and others);
have had your adrenal glands removed;
need to have surgery;
have any unhealed wounds;
have a history of heart disease;
- have liver disease; or
- have kidney disease.
You may not be able to take cyclophosphamide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Cyclophosphamide is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that cyclophosphamide is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Cyclophosphamide may also affect egg production in women and sperm production in men. Do not take cyclophosphamide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Use of cyclophosphamide by the father prior to conception has also been associated with birth defects. Contraceptive measures are recommended during treatment with cyclophosphamide for both men and women. Cyclophosphamide passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take cyclophosphamide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
How should I take cyclophosphamide?
Take cyclophosphamide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to explain them to you.
Take each oral dose with a large glass of water.
To avoid urinary bladder irritation during treatment with either oral or injectable cyclophosphamide, drink plenty of fluid during treatment and for 48 hours following treatment, usually 7 to 12 cups (3 quarts) per day, and empty your bladder frequently, every 2 to 3 hours including once during the night.
Taking oral cyclophosphamide on an empty stomach is preferable. If severe stomach upset occurs, take cyclophosphamide with food. Continue to take cyclophosphamide even if nausea and vomiting occurs. Do not stop taking the medicine without first talking to your doctor. Check with your doctor if vomiting occurs shortly after taking a dose of cyclophosphamide. Your doctor may want you to take another dose, but do not do this without checking with your doctor first.
If you are taking a liquid form of cyclophosphamide by mouth, use a dose measuring spoon or cup to ensure that you get the correct dose.
Injectable cyclophosphamide should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with cyclophosphamide depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.
Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with cyclophosphamide to monitor progress and side effects.
Store cyclophosphamide oral tablets at or below 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Brief exposures to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) are permitted but the tablets should be protected from temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Your healthcare provider will store cyclophosphamide injection as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing cyclophosphamide injection at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider. Store cyclophosphamide oral liquid in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to 14 days.
See also: Cyclophosphamide dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed oral dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of cyclophosphamide injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a cyclophosphamide overdose may include decreased bone marrow function, infection, and heart problems.
What should I avoid while taking cyclophosphamide?
Cyclophosphamide can lower the activity of the immune system making you more susceptible to infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. In addition, do not receive vaccines that contain a live strain of the virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) and avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live virus.
Cyclophosphamide side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
blood in the urine;
black or tarry stools;
painful or difficult urination;
signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat;
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
lower back or side pain;
chest pain, difficulty breathing, or swelling;
unusual bleeding or bruising; or
changes in bone marrow function (detected by blood tests).
Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience
nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
mouth sores;
abdominal pain;
diarrhea;
temporary hair loss;
temporary or permanent sterility;
rash;
changes in skin color; or
changes in nails.
In some cases, secondary cancers have been reported to occur during and following treatment with cyclophosphamide. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Cyclophosphamide Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Malignant Disease:
Intravenous: When used alone, the initial dose for patients with no hematologic deficiency is 40 to 50 mg/kg usually in divided doses over 2 to 5 days. Alternatively, 10 to 15 mg/kg may be administered every 7 to 10 days or 3 to 5 mg/kg twice a week.
Oral: Usual Range: 1 to 8 mg/kg/day for initial and maintenance dosing.
Usual Adult Dose for Ovarian Cancer:
For use in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer:
600 mg/m2 intravenously on day one in combination with carboplatin or cisplatin
Repeat cycle every 28 days.
Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Myeloma:
(In combination with other chemotherapeutic agents as a part of the M2 protocol)
10 mg/kg IV on day 1
Usual Pediatric Dose for Malignant Disease:
Intravenous: When used alone, the initial dose for patients with no hematologic deficiency is 40 to 50 mg/kg usually in divided doses over 2 to 5 days. Alternatively, 10 to 15 mg/kg may be administered every 7 to 10 days or 3 to 5 mg/kg twice a week.
Oral: Usual Range: 1 to 8 mg/kg/day for initial and maintenance dosing.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Nephrotic Syndrome:
When use for biopsy proven "minimal change" nephrotic syndrome in children, a dose of 2.5 to 3 mg/kg/day orally for 60 to 90 days is recommended.
What other drugs will affect cyclophosphamide?
Before taking cyclophosphamide, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
allopurinol (Zyloprim);
digoxin (Lanoxin);
warfarin (Coumadin);
a thiazide diuretic (water pill) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Esidrix, Microzide, Oretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others; or
another chemotherapy medicine.
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with cyclophosphamide. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with cyclophosphamide.
Other drugs may interact with cyclophosphamide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with cyclophosphamide.
More cyclophosphamide resources
- Cyclophosphamide Side Effects (in more detail)
- Cyclophosphamide Dosage
- Cyclophosphamide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Cyclophosphamide Drug Interactions
- Cyclophosphamide Support Group
- 4 Reviews for Cyclophosphamide - Add your own review/rating
Compare cyclophosphamide with other medications
- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
- Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia
- Bladder Cancer
- Brain Tumor
- Breast Cancer
- Bullous Pemphigoid
- Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
- Cogan's Syndrome
- Dermatomyositis
- Endometrial Cancer
- Ewing's Sarcoma
- Histiocytosis
- Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- IgA Nephropathy
- Multiple Myeloma
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Mycosis Fungoides
- Nephrotic Syndrome
- Neuroblastoma
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Organ Transplant, Rejection Prophylaxis
- Osteosarcoma
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pemphigoid
- Pemphigus
- Prostate Cancer
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Systemic Sclerosis
- Testicular Cancer
- Wegener's Granulomatosus
- Wilms' Tumor
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has additional information about cyclophosphamide written for health professionals that you may read.
See also: cyclophosphamide side effects (in more detail)
