A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Cyclophosphamide

Brand Names

; Cytoxan® ; Neosar®

; Genoxal (Mexico) ; Ledoxina (Mexico) ; Procytox® (Canada)

Antineoplastic Agent, Alkylating Agent

This medicine is used for the treatment of a variety of cancers.
Other uses include prevention of rejection after organ transplants, severe rheumatoid disorders, nephritic syndrome, Wegener's granulomatosis, idiopathic pulmonary hemosideroses, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytic purpura (ITP), macroglobulinemia, and antibody-induced pure red cell aplasia. There may be other treatments not listed here. Talk to healthcare provider for more details.

Cyclophosphamide prevents cancer cells from multiplying. It also suppresses the body's own immune system.

Take on an empty stomach. Take with food in divided doses if this medicine causes a severe upset stomach.
A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by healthcare provider. Avoid products containing caffeine.

Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

If you are on allopurinol or azathioprine tell you healthcare provider.
This medicine may prevent you from having children in the future. Talk with healthcare provider.
If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E. You will bleed easily.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.
If you are a man, using this medicine, make sure that you do not get your partner pregnant.
Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine stopped. Usually starts 3-6 weeks after medicine started.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.

Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Pain with passing urine or a change in the color of the urine.
Unusual bruising or bleeding.
Fever, chills, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, sores in the mouth or on the lips.
Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow eyes or skin, not hungry.

Store tablets in a tight container at room temperature.
Store suspension in the refrigerator. Keep in glass container. Throw away if medicine is not used in 14 days.

Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).