Generic name: Cyclophosphamide Tablets [ sye-kloe-FOS-fa-mide ]
Brand name: Cytoxan
Drug class: Alkylating agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 18, 2024.

Uses of Cytoxan:

• It is used to treat cancer.
• It is used to treat nephrotic syndrome.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Cytoxan?

• If you are allergic to Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets); any part of Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Bone marrow disease or urinary tract block.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Cytoxan?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets) affects you.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly allergic side effects have rarely happened. Talk with your doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets) may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
• You may have more of a chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu. Some infections have been very bad and even deadly.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly heart problems like heart failure have happened with Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets). Talk with the doctor.
• Other types of cancer may rarely happen later in life.
• Some people have had lung problems with Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets). Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of lung problems like shortness of breath or other trouble breathing, cough that is new or worse, or fever.
• This medicine can cause low sodium levels. Very low sodium levels can be life-threatening, leading to seizures, passing out, trouble breathing, or death.
• If you are 65 or older, use Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets) with care. You could have more side effects.
• This medicine may affect fertility. Fertility problems may lead to not being able to get pregnant or father a child. In both men and women, this may go back to normal but sometimes it may not. Talk with your doctor.
• Periods may stop in women treated with Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets). This may not go back to normal. Women treated with Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets) may go through menopause at a younger age than normal. Talk with your doctor.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby or loss of the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
• Women must use birth control while taking Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets) and for some time after the last dose. Ask your doctor how long to use birth control. If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.
• Men with a partner who may get pregnant must use birth control while taking Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets) and for some time after the last dose. Ask your doctor how long to use birth control. If your partner gets pregnant, call the doctor right away.

How is this medicine (Cytoxan) best taken?

Use Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food.
• If you are taking Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets) once a day, take it in the morning. Do not take it at night unless told to do so by your doctor.
• Wear gloves when touching Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets).
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• If the tablet is crushed or broken, do not touch the contents. If you do touch the contents or get it in your eyes, wash hands or eyes right away.
• Pass urine often. You need to empty your bladder often. Drinking lots of liquids will help.
• Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
• If you have upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or are not hungry, talk with your doctor. There may be ways to lower these side effects.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of low sodium levels like headache, trouble focusing, memory problems, feeling confused, weakness, seizures, or change in balance.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Dizziness or passing out.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• A wound that does not heal.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly urinary tract problems like hemorrhagic cystitis have happened with Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets). Call your doctor right away if you have blood in the urine or pain when passing urine.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets). Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.

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What are some other side effects of Cytoxan?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Hair loss.
• Not hungry.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Change in color of skin.
• Change in nails.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Cytoxan?

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide tablets), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• How does AC (Adriamycin and Cytoxan [cyclophosphamide]) work for Breast Cancer?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer