Details

Cyclophosphamide is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Cyclophosphamide is used to treat several types of cancer. Cyclophosphamide is also used to treat certain cases of nephrotic syndrome (kidney disease) in children. To make sure cyclophosphamide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have an active or recent infection a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicines) heart disease kidney disease liver disease if you are receiving other cancer treatments or if you have ever received radiation treatment. Using cyclophosphamide may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as bladder cancer. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk. Do not use cyclophosphamide if you are pregnant.

Typical Uses

Cyclophosphamide is used to treat various types of cancer. It is a chemotherapy drug that works by slowing or stopping cell growth. Cyclophosphamide also works by decreasing your immune system's response to various diseases. It is used to treat a certain type of kidney disease in children after other treatments have not worked. This drug may also be used for various conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and to prevent organ transplant rejection.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of cyclophosphamide include blood in your urine or stools, pain or burning when you urinate pale skin, feeling light-headed, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack, feeling short of breath on exertion fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin extreme thirst with headache, vomiting, and weakness jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Cyclophosphamide+adalimumab- Using adalimumab together with cyclophosphamide may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Cyclophosphamide+BCG- If you are currently being treated or have recently been treated with cyclophosphamide, you should talk to your doctor before receiving BCG. Depending on the dose and length of time you have been on cyclophosphamide, you may be at risk for developing an infection from the vaccine or have a reduced response to the vaccine. In some situations, your doctor may want to delay vaccination to give your body time to recover from the effects of cyclophosphamide therapy.

• Cyclophosphamide+certolizumab- Using cyclophosphamide together with certolizumab may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Cyclophosphamide+deferiprone- Deferiprone can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as cyclophosphamide may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.

• Cyclophosphamide+etanercept- Using etanercept together with cyclophosphamide may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Mechanism of action

Cyclophosphamide is an anti-cancer drug that belongs to the class of medicines called alkylating agents. It works by interfering with normal DNA synthesis thereby slowing down or stopping growth and multiplication of cancer cells. It also suppresses the activity of the body’s immune system (immunosuppressant) thereby offering treatment for disorders involving the immune system (e.g. nephrotic syndrome, autoimmune disorders).

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