Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
This medication is used to treat:
• lymphomas
• multiple myeloma
• leukemias
• mycosis fungoides
• neuroblastoma
• ovarian carcinoma
• retinoblastoma
• breast cancer
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.
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
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
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.
Storage conditions:
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.
| 
