Cyclophosphamide Injection

What is this medicine?

CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE (sye kloe FOSS fa mide) is a chemotherapy drug. It slows the growth of cancer cells. This medicine is used to treat many types of cancer like lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer, to name a few.

How should I use this medicine?

This drug is usually given as an injection into a vein or muscle or by infusion into a vein. It is administered in a hospital or clinic by a specially trained health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• nausea, vomiting

• signs and symptoms of bleeding such as bloody or black, tarry stools; red or dark brown urine; spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bruising or bleeding from the eyes, gums, or nose

• signs and symptoms of heart failure like fast, irregular heartbeat, sudden weight gain; swelling of the ankles, feet, hands

• signs and symptoms of infection like fever; chills; cough; sore throat; pain or trouble passing urine

• signs and symptoms of kidney injury like trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• confusion

• decreased hearing

• diarrhea

• facial flushing

• hair loss

• headache

• loss of appetite

• missed menstrual periods

• signs and symptoms of low red blood cells or anemia such as unusually weak or tired; feeling faint or lightheaded; falls

• skin discoloration

What may interact with this medicine?

• amphotericin B

• azathioprine

• certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis

• certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

• certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

• certain other medicines for cancer

• cyclosporine

• etanercept

• indomethacin

• medicines that relax muscles for surgery

• medicines to increase blood counts

• metronidazole

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart disease

• history of irregular heartbeat

• infection

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• low blood counts, like white cells, platelets, or red blood cells

• on hemodialysis

• recent or ongoing radiation therapy

• scarring or thickening of the lungs

• trouble passing urine

• an unusual or allergic reaction to cyclophosphamide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine.

Drink water or other fluids as directed. Urinate often, even at night.

Some products may contain alcohol. Ask your health care professional if this medicine contains alcohol. Be sure to tell all health care professionals you are taking this medicine. Certain medicines, like metronidazole and disulfiram, can cause an unpleasant reaction when taken with alcohol. The reaction includes flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and increased thirst. The reaction can last from 30 minutes to several hours.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for 1 year after stopping it. Women should inform their health care professional if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 4 months after stopping it. There is potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional for more information.

Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine or for 1 week after stopping it.

This medicine has caused ovarian failure in some women. This medicine may make it more difficult to get pregnant. Talk to your health care professional if you are concerned about your fertility.

This medicine has caused decreased sperm counts in some men. This may make it more difficult to father a child. Talk to your health care professional if you are concerned about your fertility.

Call your health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills, or sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. This medicine decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

Avoid taking medicines that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your health care professional. These medicines may hide a fever.

Talk to your health care professional about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancer if you take this medicine.

If you are going to need surgery or other procedure, tell your health care professional that you are using this medicine.

Be careful brushing or flossing your teeth or using a toothpick because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving this medicine.