MedlinePlus Drug Information: Cyclophosphamide

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Other drug names:	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 0-9

Cyclophosphamide

(sye kloe foss' fa mide)

Contents of this page:
About your treatment Other uses for this medicine Precautions Side effects	Storage conditions In case of emergency/overdose Special instructions Brand names Other names

About your treatment Return to top

Your doctor has ordered the drug cyclophosphamide to help treat your illness. The drug can be taken by mouth in tablet form or be given by injection into a vein.

This medication is used to treat:

lymphomas
multiple myeloma
leukemias
mycosis fungoides
neuroblastoma
ovarian carcinoma
retinoblastoma
breast cancer

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Cyclophosphamide is in a class of drugs known as alkylating agents; it slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.

Other uses for this medicine Return to top

Cyclophosphamide is also used to treat bronchogenic carcinoma, small cell lung carcinoma, and other types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

Precautions Return to top

Before taking cyclophosphamide,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cyclophosphamide or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.
you should know that cyclophosphamide may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. However, you should not assume that you cannot get pregnant or that you cannot get someone else pregnant. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should tell their doctors before they begin taking this drug. You should not plan to have children while receiving chemotherapy or for a while after treatments. (Talk to your doctor for further details.) Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Cyclophosphamide may harm the fetus.
while being treated with cyclophosphamide, drink plenty of fluids because this drug can irritate your kidneys and bladder. This precaution is especially important if you have had chemotherapy before.
do not have any vaccinations (e.g., measles or flu shots) without talking to your doctor.
you should know that cyclophosphamide has been associated with the development of other types of cancers. Talk with your doctor about the potential risk of developing a new cancer.

Side effects Return to top

Side effects from cyclophosphamide are common and include:

thinned or brittle hair
darkened and thickened skin
blistering skin or acne
loss of appetite or weight

Tell your doctor if either of these symptoms is severe or lasts for several hours:

mouth blistering
fatigue

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

painful urination or red urine
black, tarry stools
unusual bruising or bleeding
cough
congestion
fever
dizziness
chills
shortness of breath
sore throat
swelling of the feet or ankles
nausea and vomiting
rash

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions Return to top

Keep cyclophosphamide in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose Return to top

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Special instructions Return to top

Drink plenty of fluids. Drink about 10 eight-ounce glasses of fluid and urinate frequently during the first 24 hours after treatment to keep your kidneys working.
The most common side effect of cyclophosphamide is a decrease in the number of blood cells. Your doctor may order tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected by the drug.

Brand names Return to top

Cytoxan®

Neosar®

Other names Return to top

Last Revised - 04/01/2003
Last Reviewed - 08/01/2007

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer

AHFS^® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2008. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.