Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s (cancer types that start in a type of white blood cell that typically fights infection), cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a group of immune system cancers that first manifest as skin rashes, and Hodgkin’s disease are all treated with cyclophosphamide alone or in combination with other medications. A number of leukaemias, including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML, ANLL), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML), multiple myeloma, and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia are cancers of the white blood cells (ALL). Additionally, it is used to treat breast cancer, ovarian cancer, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, and neuroblastoma, all of which are cancers of the eye, the female reproductive system, and the nervous system, respectively.In addition, cyclophosphamide is used to treat nephrotic syndrome (a condition brought on by damage to the kidneys) in kids whose condition has not improved, has worsened, or has returned despite taking other medications, or in kids who have endured terrible side effects from other drugs. Alkylating agents are a class of drugs that includes cyclophosphamide. Cyclophosphamide slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body when it is used to treat cancer. Cyclophosphamide suppresses your body’s immune system when used to treat nephrotic syndrome.

Cyclophosphamide is available as a tablet to be taken orally once per day. The sort of drugs you are taking, how well your body reacts to them, and the type of cancer or disease you have all affect how long your therapy will last. Cyclophosphamide should be taken every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the prescription for cyclophosphamide precisely. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets; instead, swallow them whole.

Depending on how you respond to the medication and any adverse effects you have, your doctor may decide to postpone your treatment or change your cyclophosphamide dose. Discuss your feelings regarding your treatment with your doctor. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking cyclophosphamide.

Additionally, cyclophosphamide is occasionally used to treat a specific kind of lung cancer (small cell lung cancer; SCLC). It is also used to treat children with Ewing’s sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, both of which are bone cancers. The dangers of using this drug for your illness should be discussed with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking cyclophosphamide,

• If you have recently had x-rays or have previously undergone treatment with other chemotherapy drugs, let your doctor know. If you have kidney or liver illness now or formerly had it, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Allopurinol (Zyloprim®), cortisone acetate, doxorubicin (Adriamycin®, Doxil®), hydrocortisone (Cortef®), or phenobarbital (Luminal® Sodium) should all be mentioned. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Tell your doctor about every medicine you are taking, even those not on this list, as many other drugs may also interact with cyclophosphamide.
• Inform your doctor if you have recently had x-rays or have previously gotten treatment with other chemotherapy drugs. Additionally, let your doctor know if you now or ever had renal or liver illness.
• You should be aware that cyclophosphamide can affect a woman’s regular period and can prevent sperm from developing in a man. Although cyclophosphamide has the potential to result in permanent infertility (difficulty getting pregnant), this does not mean that you cannot become pregnant or that you cannot help another person become pregnant. Pregnant or nursing women should inform their doctors before starting this medication. While undergoing chemotherapy or for a while after treatments, you shouldn’t intend to get pregnant. (Ask your doctor for more information.) To prevent conception, use a proven birth control method. The foetus could suffer from cyclophosphamide.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking cyclophosphamide if you are undergoing surgery, including dental surgery.

While taking this drug, make sure to stay hydrated.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects with cyclophosphamide are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Appetite loss or weight loss
• Abdomen ache
• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Infections of the tongue or mouth
• Alterations to skin tone
• Fingernail or toenail colour changes or growth

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Fever, chills, or other symptoms of illness in addition to a sore throat
• Poorly or slowly heals wounds
• Significant bruising or bleeding
• Tarry, black stools
• Red or uncomfortable urine
• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Breathing difficulty
• Cough
• Legs, ankles, or foot swelling
• Chest ache
• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint

Cyclophosphamide may make you more likely to get other cancers. About the dangers of using cyclophosphamide, see your doctor.

Other negative effects of cyclophosphamide are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Tarry, black stools
• Red faeces
• Significant bruising or bleeding
• Unexpected fatigue or weakened state
• Fever, cough, sore throat, or other infection-related symptoms
• Legs, ankles, or foot swelling
• Chest ache

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor your body’s reaction to cyclophosphamide, your doctor will request specific lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.