Cyclophosphamide

Description

Cyclophosphamide is an anticancer agent which is used in the treatment of various cancers of the blood and the female reproductive system. It should be used under the supervision of a qualified physician. Close monitoring of kidney function and blood cell count is necessary while receiving this medication.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Cyclophosphamide

  • Infections
  • Decrease in blood cell count
  • Hair loss
  • Fever
  • Weakness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Increased sweating
  • Skin rash

Uses of Cyclophosphamide

What is it prescribed for?

  • Malignant Disease
  • Ovarian Cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Nephrotic Syndrome
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed in 2 to 3 hours after an oral dose.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 12 to 24 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.

Allergy

Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Cyclophosphamide or other alkylating agents.

Urinary outflow obstruction

Not recommended in patients with conditions that obstruct the urine outflow.

Bone marrow suppression

Not recommended in patients with low blood cell counts.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women.
General warnings

Secondary Malignancies

Cyclophosphamide is known to increase the risk of secondary tumors. Most frequently, the urinary tract, thyroid gland, and blood are affected. Close monitoring of signs and symptoms is necessary. The treatment should be discontinued if malignancy develops.

Blood cell count

Cyclophosphamide is known to lower the white blood cell count (neutrophils) and platelets. Close monitoring of blood cell counts is necessary. Do not start the treatment if the neutrophils count is less than 1500 cells/mm3 and platelets count is less than 50,000 cells/mm3.

Effect on heart

Cyclophosphamide may increase the risk of toxic effects on the heart and could lead to congestive heart failure. The treatment should be monitored in patients with a history of heart disease.

Effect on lungs

Cyclophosphamide may increase the risk of toxic effects on lungs and could lead to respiratory failure. Any symptoms of lung toxicity should be informed to the doctor on priority. The treatment should be discontinued if such symptoms appear.

Infections

The chances of infections are more in patients receiving this medicine. Hold the chemotherapy and start with broad-spectrum antibiotics if there are any signs and symptoms of fever. Close monitoring of the body temperature and the blood cell count is necessary.

Impaired kidney function

Cyclophosphamide is known to increase kidney injury and increases the risk of secondary cancers. It should be used with caution in patients with urinary tract infections. The treatment should be discontinued if the signs and symptoms of kidney injury appear.

Missed Dose

It is advised not to miss any dose. If you miss any dose, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Clozapine

Diltiazem

Warfarin

Live attenuated vaccines and related products

Disease interactions

Disease

Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine as advised by the doctor. It should be given in multiple cycles along with other chemotherapy agents. It is important to receive every scheduled dose. The blood cells count and kidney function should be assessed before starting the treatment. Any signs and symptoms of heart and lung dysfunction should be reported to the doctor on priority.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by interfering with the DNA synthesis and inhibiting the tumor growth.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Alkylating agents

Schedule

Schedule G

Cyclophosphamide - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 16 June 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00531

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 16 June 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/30163

DailyMed - Cyclophosphamide capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 16 June 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8135b917-882f-4b4c-99b7-fa8ea54af4bf

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 16 June 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database

[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 16 June 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~oGqWh7:1

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Information on this page was last updated on 1 Jun 2020

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.