Chemotherapy Drug Information
<< BackCyclophosphamide
Your doctor has ordered the drug cyclophosphamide to help treat your illness. The drug can be taken by mouth in tablet form or be given by injection into a vein. Cyclophosphamide is in a class of drugs known as alkylating agents; it slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. 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 you have.
Before taking cyclophosphamide,
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease.
- You should know that cyclophosphamide may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. 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. Cyclophosphamide may harm the fetus.
- While being treated with cyclophosphamide, drink plenty of fluids because this drug can irritate your kidneys and bladder. This precaution is especially important if you have had chemotherapy before.
- Do not have any vaccinations (e.g., measles or flu shots) without talking to your doctor.
Side effects from cyclophosphamide are common and include:
- thinned or brittle hair
- blistering skin or acne
- loss of appetite or weight
- mouth blistering
- fatigue
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- painful urination or red urine
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- cough
- congestion
- fever
- dizziness
- chills
- shortness of breath
- sore throat
- swelling of the feet or ankles
- nausea and vomiting
- rash