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Index | Go Back | Email This Information | Print Untitled Document Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide

The following information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as a medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Cyclophosphamide

(sye kloe FOS fa mide)

U.S. Brand Names

Cytoxan®

Canadian Brand Names

Cytoxan®; Procytox®

Mexican Brand Names

Cryofaxol; Ledoxina

Pharmacologic Category

Antineoplastic Agent, Alkylating Agent

Reasons not to take this medicine

¢ If you have an allergy to cyclophosphamide or any other part of this medicine.

¢ 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, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

¢ If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

¢ If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

¢ This medicine is used to prevent idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis.

¢ This medicine is used to prevent nephrotic syndrome.

¢ This medicine is used to prevent rejection after organ transplant.

¢ This medicine is used to prevent severe rheumatoid arthritis.

¢ This medicine is used to prevent Wegener's granulomatosis.

¢ This medicine is used to treat antibody-induced pure red cell aplasia.

¢ This medicine is used to treat autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

¢ This medicine is used to treat a variety of cancers.

¢ This medicine is used to treat idiopathic thrombocytic purpura (ITP).

¢ This medicine is used to treat lupus.

¢ This medicine is used to treat macroglobulinemia.

¢ This medicine is used to treat multiple sclerosis.

¢ This medicine is used to treat myasthenia gravis.

¢ This medicine is used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus.

How does it work?

¢ Cyclophosphamide injures cancer cells causing their death.

¢ It decreases the body's harmful response to diseases affecting the immune system.

How is it best taken?

¢ Take this medicine with food to prevent stomach upset.

¢ Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

¢ Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

¢ If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

¢ Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

¢ Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

¢ If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

¢ Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

¢ If you are taking allopurinol or azathioprine, talk with healthcare provider.

¢ Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.

¢ Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

¢ If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy during treatment.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

¢ Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.

¢ Headache.

¢ Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

¢ Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.

¢ Infertility.

What should I monitor?

¢ Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

¢ Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

¢ Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

¢ If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

¢ Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

¢ Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

¢ Shortness of breath.

¢ Severe belly pain.

¢ Severe nausea or vomiting.

¢ Not hungry.

¢ Unusual bruising or bleeding.

¢ Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

¢ Feeling extremely tired or weak.

¢ Any rash.

¢ No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

¢ Store at room temperature.

¢ Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

¢ If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

¢ 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, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

¢ Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

¢ Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.



Created: 2006-10-13 11:42:55.0

Modified: 2008-02-11 16:23:10.0

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Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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