Cyclophosphamide (CTX, Cytoxan®, Neosar®,
Genoxal (Mexico), Ledoxina (Mexico), Procytox® (Canada)

Class of Drugs: Antineoplastic agents-immunosuppressant-Alkylating Agents

Manufacturer:
Cyclophosphamide Tablets (Roxane Laboratories Inc-Boehringer Ingelheim),
Cytoxan® ( Bristol-Myers Squibb Co - Mead Johnson and Co),
Neosar® (Pfizer - Pharmacia & Upjohn)

Information on Patient Assistance Program:

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance -
1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)
or
Cytoxan® - Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 1058
Somerville, NJ 8876
(http://www.bmspaf.org/ - Web Site is not currently available)
or
Neosar® - Pfizer Helpful Answers, Pfizer Patient Assistance Programs 1-866-776-3700

Description: This medication may be administered in tablet form, as an oral solution or by injection.

Ingredient: Cyclophosphamide

Use: Cyclophosphamide is used to treat cancer of the ovaries, breast, blood and lymph system, nerves, retinoblastoma, multiple myeloma, and mycosis fungoides. It is also used for treatment of some kinds of kidney disease and other conditions as determined by your doctor. Cyclophosphamide interferes with the reproductive processes of cancer cells.

Warnings:
This medicine may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or if it is taken during pregnancy. As with many cancer medicines, sterility occurs commonly with cyclophosphamide, but is usually only temporary.

There is a chance that this treatment will increase your risk for certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or bladder cancer. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Inform your doctor if you are using any of the following medications and Cyclophosphamide has been prescribed:

Cyclophosphamide may increase the side effects of these medicines or radiation therapy on the blood. Inform your health care team if you are taking Amphotericin B (Fungizone), any medication for overactive thyroid, Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin), Colchicine, Flucytosine (Ancobon), Ganciclovir (Cytovene), Interferon (Intron A, Roferon-A), Methotrexate, Plicamycin (Mithracin), Zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir), or have ever been treated with radiation or other cancer medicines.

There is a danger of increased risk of infection and development of cancer if cyclophosphamide is used in combination with any of these drugs that can impair the immune system: Azathioprine (Imuran), Chlorambucil (Leukeran), Corticosteroids, Cyclosporine (Sandimmune), Mercaptopurine (Purinethol) or Muromonab-CD3 monoclonal antibody (Orthoclone OKT3).

Cyclophosphamide may increase the effects of Cytarabine on the heart and blood.

Cyclophosphamide often increases the amount of uric acid in the blood. Probenecid (Benemid) or Sulfinpyrazone (Anturane) are used to lower uric acid levels and may need to be adjusted in patients taking cyclophosphamide.

Cyclophosphamide may increase the effects and toxicity of Cocaine.

Before you schedule any medical tests, make sure that the doctor knows that you are taking this drug. The results of some tests can be affected by this medicine.

Side Effects: It is important that you drink extra fluids, you may have to drink 7 to 12 cups (3 quarts) of fluid a day so that you will pass more urine. Empty your bladder frequently during the day and at least once during the night. Cyclophosphamide is removed from the body as your kidneys produce urine. If too much is present in the urine or if the urine remains in the bladder for an extended period, it can cause dangerous irritation.

Cyclophosphamide may cause nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. It is vital that you continue the medication even if you feel ill. Do not stop taking this medicine unless you are told to by your doctor. There are medicines that can relieve these symptoms if they become severe. If you vomit after taking a dose of cyclophosphamide, check with your doctor to decide whether to take the dose again or to wait until the next scheduled dose.

Check with your health care provider immediately if you develop a cough or hoarseness, fever or chills, lower back or side pain, painful or difficult urination or, in women, if you miss a menstrual period.

If you are being treated high doses of this medication or are on long-term treatment tell your doctor immediately if you discover blood in your urine, or experience dizziness, confusion, or agitation. Accelerated or irregular heartbeat, joint pain, shortness of breath, swelling of your feet or lower legs and unusual tiredness or weakness are other signs that need to be communicated to the doctor as soon as possible.

Rarely, this treatment will result in dark-colored, tarry stools or bloody stools, pinpoint red spots on your skin, unusual bleeding or bruising, frequent urination, redness, swelling, or pain at site of injection, sores in your mouth or on your lips, sudden shortness of breath, unusual thirst or a  yellowish tinge to your skin or in the white of your eyes. These may be indications of serious side effects and should be reported to the doctor at once.

Less serious side effects that usually go away during the course of the treatment are a darkening ( not yellowing) of the skin and fingernails, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or stomach pain, flushing or redness of your face, headache, increased sweating, skin rash, hives, or itching and swollen lips. Unless these become exteremly uncomfortable, there is no need to get immediaite attention. You should, of course, let the doctor know at your next appointment that you are experienecing or did experience side effects.

Cyclophosphamide can cause a temporary loss of hair in some people. Normal hair should grow back, although the new hair might be a slightly different color or texture.

After the treatment is complete you may still have some side effects. Check with your doctor immediately if you notice blood in your urine or severe lower back pain. You may have side effects that are not listed. If you notice any unusual effects, check with your doctor.

If you notice any other side effects, check with your doctor.

References: Cyclophosphamide (CTX, Cytoxan®, Neosar®, Procytox)

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This information is intended as reference and not as medical advice. All treatment decisions should be made with your team of medical professionals and prescriptions must be given by your doctor. See TERMS AND CONDITIONS.