Cytoxan : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide) is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (types of cancer that begin in a type of white blood cells that normally fights infection); cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL, a group of cancers of the immune system that first appear as skin rashes); multiple myeloma (a type of cancer of the bone marrow); and certain types of leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells), including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute myeloid leukemia (AML, ANLL), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is also used to treat retinoblastoma (cancer in the eye), neuroblastoma (a cancer that begins in nerve cells and occurs mainly in children), ovarian cancer (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed), and breast cancer. Cytoxan is also used to treat nephrotic syndrome (a disease that is caused by damage to the kidneys) in children whose disease has not improved, has gotten worse, or has come back after taking other medications or in children who experienced intolerable side effects with other medications. Cytoxan is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. When Cytoxan is used to treat cancer, it works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body. When Cytoxan is used to treat nephrotic syndrome, it works by suppressing your body’s immune system.

How should this medicine be used?

Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide) comes as a tablet to take by mouth once a day. 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 or condition you have. Take Cytoxan at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Cytoxan exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Your doctor may need to delay your treatment or adjust your dose of Cytoxan depending on your response to treatment and any side effects that you experience. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment. Do not stop taking Cytoxan without talking to your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

Cytoxan is also sometimes used to treat a certain type of lung cancer (small cell lung cancer; SCLC). It is also used to treat rhabdomyosarcoma (a type of cancer of the muscles) and Ewing’s sarcoma (a type of bone cancer) in children. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking Cytoxan,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Cytoxan, other alkylating agents such as bendamustine (Treanda^®), busulfan (Myerlan^®, Busulfex^®), carmustine (BiCNU^®, Gliadel^®Wafer), chlorambucil (Leukeran^®), ifosfamide (Ifex^®), lomustine (CeeNU^®), melphalan (Alkeran^®), procarbazine (Mutalane^®), or temozolomide (Temodar^®), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Cytoxan tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: allopurinol (Zyloprim^®), cortisone acetate, doxorubicin (Adriamycin^®, Doxil^®), hydrocortisone (Cortef^®), or phenobarbital (Luminal^®Sodium). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with Cytoxan, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
tell your doctor if you have previously received treatment with other chemotherapy medications or if you have had x-rays recently. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
you should know that Cytoxan may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. Cytoxan may cause permanent infertility (difficulty becoming pregnant); 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. Cytoxan may harm the fetus.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Cytoxan.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Drink plenty of fluids while you are using this medication.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Cytoxan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

nausea
vomiting
loss of appetite or weight
abdominal pain
diarrhea
hair loss
sores on the mouth or tongue
changes in skin color
changes in color or growth of finger or toe nails

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

sore throat, fever, chills, or other signs of infection
poor or slow wound healing
unusual bruising or bleeding
black, tarry stools
painful urination or red urine
rash
hives
itching
difficulty breathing or swallowing
shortness of breath
cough
swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
chest pain
yellowing of the skin or eyes

Cytoxan may increase the risk that you will develop other cancers. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking Cytoxan.

Cytoxan may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication 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).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

black, tarry stools
red urine
unusual bruising or bleeding
unusual tiredness or weakness
sore throat, cough, fever, or other signs of infection
swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
chest pain

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to Cytoxan.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

Cytoxan^®

Other names

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.