Cyclophosphamide
About Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide is a prescription medication used to treat several types of cancer, including leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and breast cancer. It is also prescribed to treat certain serious kidney conditions, such as nephrotic syndrome, and may be used for autoimmune diseases like lupus nephritis and vasculitis when other treatments are not suitable. It works by suppressing an overactive immune system and slowing the growth of rapidly dividing cells, helping to control disease progression and prevent further damage.
You must take Cyclophosphamide consistently at the exact times prescribed by your doctor to ensure it works effectively. It is usually taken once a day, early in the morning, and can be taken with or without food. To get the best results and protect your kidneys, it is vital to drink a large amount of fluids throughout the day while taking this medicine.
Some of the most common side effects of Cyclophosphamide include nausea, temporary hair loss, and an increased risk of catching infections. It is very important to contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience serious side effects, such as blood in your urine, severe stomach pain, or signs of an infection like a fever.
Before you begin taking Cyclophosphamide, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver damage, bladder problems, or a history of low blood cell counts. Do not take this if you currently have a severe bladder infection, active urinary tract bleeding, or if your bone marrow is severely suppressed.
This medicine can interact with several other drugs, including vaccines and medications that affect your immune system, which can increase your risk of infections. Avoid drinking alcohol while on this medication, as it can increase stomach irritation and place extra strain on your liver. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or are an elderly patient, you must consult your doctor before starting this treatment.
Uses of Cyclophosphamide
• Cancer treatment: Cyclophosphamide is used to treat various cancers, including lymphomas, leukemia, and breast cancer, by slowing or stopping cancer cell growth.
• Autoimmune disorders: Cyclophosphamide helps manage autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the immune response and reducing inflammation.
• Organ Transplantation: Cyclophosphamide is used in organ transplant patients to prevent rejection by suppressing the immune system.
• Nephrotic Syndrome: Cyclophosphamide is used to treat nephrotic syndrome, especially in cases resistant to standard treatments, by reducing proteinuria and improving kidney function.
• Scleroderma Treatment: Cyclophosphamide is involved in managing scleroderma by alleviating symptoms and slowing disease progression through immune system suppression.
Medicinal Benefits
Cyclophosphamide helps treat serious conditions by slowing disease progression and reducing harmful immune activity. By targeting the underlying cause of the disease, it helps improve treatment outcomes, relieve symptoms, and lower the risk of long-term complications.
- Supports cancer treatment: Cyclophosphamide helps slow or stop the growth of abnormal cancer cells, helping shrink tumours, limit their spread, and improve the effectiveness of treatment.
- Protects kidney function: In people with severe nephrotic syndrome, Cyclophosphamide reduces kidney inflammation and protein loss in the urine, helping relieve swelling and lower the risk of long-term kidney damage.
Directions for Use
- It is generally recommended to take Cyclophosphamide with food to prevent stomach upset or as advised by the doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow Cyclophosphamide as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Cyclophosphamide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
- Temporary hair loss (hair usually grows back after treatment ends)
- Missed menstrual periods or temporary fertility changes
- General weakness or feeling tired
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Blood in your urine, pain when urinating, or a sudden urge to urinate
- Signs of infection, including fever, chills, sore throat, or a cough
- Easy bruising, unusual bleeding, or tiny purple spots on your skin
- Shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or sudden swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Avoid Direct Contact: Caregivers should wear disposable gloves when handling Cyclophosphamide tablets or capsules, and pregnant women should avoid handling the medicine altogether.
- Use Effective Contraception: Use reliable birth control during treatment and for the recommended period after stopping Cyclophosphamide, as it can cause serious harm to an unborn baby.
- Avoid Live Vaccines: Do not receive live vaccines while taking Cyclophosphamide unless your doctor advises it.
- Attend Regular Monitoring: Keep all scheduled blood and urine test appointments so your doctor can monitor your blood cell counts, kidney function, and overall response to treatment.
- Protect Your Bladder: Cyclophosphamide may cause haemorrhagic cystitis (bleeding and inflammation of the bladder). Drink plenty of fluids and empty your bladder frequently. Some patients, especially those receiving high-dose treatment, may also be given MESNA to help protect the bladder. Ask your doctor if this applies to your treatment.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact with Cyclophosphamide and affect its safety or effectiveness.
- Immune-suppressing drugs: May increase your risk of serious infections.
- Gout medications (like allopurinol): May increase the risk of bone marrow suppression, lowering your blood counts further.
- Blood thinners: May change how your blood clots, requiring closer monitoring by your doctor.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol affects Cyclophosphamide. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeCyclophosphamide belongs to pregnancy category D. Cyclophosphamide should not be taken during pregnancy as it might cause fetal harm. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning for pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeCyclophosphamide passes into breastmilk. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Cyclophosphamide.
Driving
cautionCyclophosphamide may cause dizziness. Drive or operate heavy machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Cyclophosphamide should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionCyclophosphamide should be given to children only if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay highly hydrated: Drink plenty of water and other non-caffeinated fluids throughout the day to continuously flush your bladder and reduce the risk of bladder bleeding.
- Empty your bladder often: Urinate frequently, especially before going to bed, and do not hold your urine.
- Avoid infections: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, avoid crowds, and stay away from individuals who have contagious illnesses like a cold or the flu.
- Eat cooked foods: Stick to thoroughly washed and well-cooked foods to protect your weakened immune system from foodborne bacteria.
Special Advise
- Monitoring of complete blood count while taking Cyclophosphamide is advised.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent urinary problems.
- If you are due to have any surgery, inform the doctor that you are taking Cyclophosphamide.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cancer: It occurs due to mutations in genes that regulate cell growth. The mutations cause the cells to divide and multiply in an uncontrolled manner, leading to tumour formation. Tumours could be benign/non-cancerous or malignant/cancerous. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is the body’s disease-fighting system. It includes lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus. Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, weight loss, and fatigue. The most common cancer treatment methods are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, bone marrow (stem cell) transplantation, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy.
Nephrotic syndrome: It is a kidney disorder with symptoms such as protein in the urine, high cholesterol levels, low blood protein levels, high triglyceride levels, and swelling.
FAQs
Cyclophosphamide is used to treat malignant diseases such as lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease, mixed-cell type lymphoma, lymphocytic lymphoma, histiocytic lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, mycosis fungoide), leukaemia, nerve tissue cancer, eye cancer, ovarian cancer, soft tissue cancer, bone cancer, and breast cancer. Additionally, Cyclophosphamide is used to treat minimal change nephrotic syndrome (kidney disease) in paediatric patients.
Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that stops the growth and multiplication of cancer cells by damaging their genetic material. Thereby, Cyclophosphamide helps to treat cancer by killing the cancer cells.
Cyclophosphamide might interfere with normal wound healing. Therefore, be cautious while handling sharp objects. Consult your doctor if you notice unusual bleeding, or bruising or if the wounds do not heal properly.
No, it is not safe to father a child while taking Cyclophosphamide. Use effective contraception while taking Cyclophosphamide and for at least four months after treatment. Women of childbearing age taking Cyclophosphamide should use highly effective contraceptives while taking Cyclophosphamide up to 1 year after the treatment.
Cyclophosphamide might cause myelosuppression/bone marrow suppression leading to a decrease in white blood cells. This could lead to an increased risk of infections. Regular blood tests while taking Cyclophosphamide are advised.
During treatment with Cyclophosphamide, stay protected from sun and avoid excessive sun exposure. It’s best to use sunscreen, sunglasses and protective clothing to prevent skin damage, if your immune system is weakened.
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can increase the chance of developing other cancers, which may appear years after treatment with Cyclophosphamide. The use of Cyclophosphamide is associated with a higher risk of bladder cancer. Rarely, it may also increase the risk of other cancers like acute leukaemia, and ureter cancer.
Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy medicine which belongs to the class of alkylating agents. It works by destroying cancer cells.
Yes, Cyclophosphamide may be used to treat nephrotic syndrome in children, especially in cases where the condition has not improved, or has recurred after using other medications. It is also an option for children who have experienced severe side effects from other treatments. However, its safety and effectiveness for nephrotic syndrome in adults have not been established.
Cyclophosphamide may cause weight loss due to decreased appetite and may be due to underlying cancer. Consult a doctor if you experience significant weight loss.
Cyclophosphamide may cause side effects such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hair loss, low blood cell count, and abdominal pain. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Yes. Cyclophosphamide can be taken with or without food, as directed by your doctor. If it causes stomach upset, taking it with food may help. For the best results, take it at the same time each day and follow your doctor's instructions.
Drinking plenty of water is essential because it flushes a toxic byproduct of the medicine out of your bladder, preventing severe bladder irritation and bleeding. Talk to your doctor about how much fluid is right for you.
Yes. While temporary hair loss is a common side effect of Cyclophosphamide, your hair will typically begin to grow back after you finish your treatment course. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about hair loss.
You can usually get a standard, inactive flu shot, but you must avoid live vaccines while taking Cyclophosphamide. Always consult your doctor before getting any vaccine during your treatment.
Yes. Cyclophosphamide may affect fertility in both men and women and, in some cases, these effects may be permanent. It can interfere with sperm and egg production. If you wish to have children in the future, talk to your doctor before starting treatment about fertility preservation options such as sperm, egg, or embryo freezing.
It is highly recommended to avoid alcohol while taking Cyclophosphamide. Both alcohol and this medicine can strain your liver and irritate your stomach lining. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about alcohol use.
If you notice blood in your urine, experience pain while urinating, or have difficulty urinating, seek medical attention immediately. This is a serious side effect that requires prompt medical evaluation. Talk to your doctor right away.
Take Cyclophosphamide exactly for as long as your doctor prescribes. The duration of treatment depends on your condition, treatment response, and how well you tolerate the medicine. Do not stop taking it on your own, as this may affect your treatment. If you experience side effects or have concerns, speak to your doctor before making any changes.
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