WHAT IS Cytoxan/Cyclophosphamide?

CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE/Cytoxan 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. It is also used to treat nephrotic syndrome in children. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Cytoxan/Cyclophosphamide?

Keep out of the reach of children.

HOW SHOULD I USE Cytoxan/Cyclophosphamide?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush or chew this medicine. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

Note: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Cytoxan/Cyclophosphamide?

Visit your doctor for checks on your progress. This drug may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon, as chemotherapy can affect healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects. Continue your course of treatment even though you feel ill unless your doctor tells you to stop.

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

In some cases, you may be given additional medicines to help with side effects. Follow all directions for their use.

Call your doctor or 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 drug decreases your body's ability to fight infections. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medicine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your doctor or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.

Be careful brushing and 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.

Avoid taking products that contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen/Motrin, naproxen/Anaprox, or ketoprofen unless instructed by your doctor. These medicines may hide a fever.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.

Men should inform their doctor if they wish to father a child. This medicine may lower sperm counts.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or health care professional that you have taken this medicine.

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Cytoxan/Cyclophosphamide?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• mibefradil
• nalidixic acid/Neggram

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• medicines to increase blood counts like filgrastim, pegfilgrastim, sargramostim
• St. John's Wort
• etanercept
• medicines that block muscle or nerve pain
• trastuzumab
• doxorubicin
• succinylcholine chloride
• vaccines
• phenobarbital

Talk to your doctor or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:

• naproxen/Anaprox
• ketoprofen
• ibuprofen/Motrin
• acetaminophen
• aspirin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Cytoxan/Cyclophosphamide?

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
• swelling of the ankles, feet, hands
• breathing problems
• weight gain
• dark urine
• mouth sores
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• low blood counts - this medicine may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.
• yellowing of the eyes or skin
• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusually weak or tired, fainting spells, lightheadedness
• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine

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

• loss of appetite
• hair loss
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach pain
• missed menstrual periods
• changes in nail or skin color
• diarrhea

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Cytoxan/Cyclophosphamide?

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

• breast-feeding
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• blood disorders
• recent or ongoing radiation therapy
• kidney disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to cyclophosphamide/Cytoxan , other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• liver disease
• infection

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.