Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide)

You shouldn’t take CYTOXAN if any of the following situations apply to you:

•You are allergic to CYTOXAN or any other component in the drug.

•You have had radiation treatment in the past.

•Your absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is less than 1,500.

•Your platelet count (PLT) is less than 50,000.

Talk to your doctor before taking CYTOXAN if you are 65 years old or older and have:

•Kidney or liver disease

•Heart disease

•Severe infection

•An open wound that’s currently healing

•Have previously taken a drug that can damage your heart or are taking one now

Pregnancy and CYTOXAN

CYTOXAN can affect a developing fetus.

You and your doctor need to decide whether the benefits of taking the drug during pregnancy outweigh the risk.   

CYTOXAN is found in breast milk and isn’t considered safe to use while breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding before you take CYTOXAN.     

Common Side Effects of CYTOXAN

•Nausea and vomiting

•Diarrhea

•Stomach pain

•Decreased appetite

•Hair loss and baldness

•Skin darkening, a rash, and changes in nails

•Missed periods and inability to conceive

•Low platelet and white blood cell counts

Serious Side Effects of CYTOXAN

•Decrease in red and white blood cells and platelets

•Weakened immune system and serious infections

•New cancers

•Bladder infection and stiffening of bladder tissue (urinary fibrosis)

•Irregular heart beat

•Congestive heart failure

•Severe and potentially life-threatening skin reaction

•Nerve damage

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medications you’re taking.

This includes prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and other dietary supplements (nutritional shakes, protein powders, etc.), herbal remedies, and illegal and recreational drugs.        

You shouldn’t take CYTOXAN if you are taking the following drugs:

•Adenovirus vaccine live

•BCG live intravesical (Theracrys)

•Live influenza nasal vaccine (FluMist and FluMist Quadrivalent)

•Live measles/mumps/rubella vaccine (MMR) (M-M-R II)

•Live rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix, Rotateq)

•Smallpox vaccine (Dryvax )

•Live typhoid vaccine (Vivotif)

•Live varicella vaccine (Varivax)

•Live yellow fever vaccine (YF- Vax)

•Live zoster vaccine (Zostavax)

Talk to your doctor about the potential for serious interactions before your are given CYTOXAN if you are taking any of the following drugs:

•Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro,Tegretol)

•Idarubicin (Idamycin PFS)

•Natalizumab (Tysabri)

•Entanercept (Enbrel)

•Palifermin (Kepivance)

CYTOXAN and Alcohol

Avoid or limit drinking while taking CYTOXAN. 

CYTOXAN and Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit interferes with how quickly the liver processes cyclophosamide and increases the risk and severity of the many dangerous side effects of CYTOXAN.

Avoid consuming grapefruit and the juice while taking CYTOXAN. 

Only an appropriately trained health care professional can administer CYTOXAN, since it's injected into your veins.

Your doctor will determine how much CYTOXAN you should receive based on your weight and the condition for which you are being treated.