Cyclophosphamide: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Cyclophosphamide?

What is Cyclophosphamide for?

Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy drug that works to slow or even stop the growth of cancer cells. Therefore, this drug is often used to treat various types of cancer.

Cyclophosphamide is a drug that is also used to weaken the immune system's response to several diseases. This medicine can be used to treat some kidney diseases in children if other treatments are not working optimally. In addition, this drug can also be used to help treat lupus and rheumatoid arthitis (rheumatism), and prevent the body's rejection of organ transplants.

How is Cyclophosphamide used?

Take this medication orally as directed by your doctor. The dose of the drug depends on your health condition, body weight, and response to the drug, as well as other medications you are taking (such as other chemotherapy treatments or radiation treatments). Make sure your doctor and pharmacist knows all the types of products you take (prescription or non-prescription drugs and herbal remedies).

While taking this medicine, you will need to consume more fluids than usual and urinate regularly to prevent kidney or bladder failure. Ask your doctor how much water you should drink each day and make sure you follow the directions for use properly.

If you are taking capsules, swallow them whole. Do not open, chew, or crush them. In case of accidental contact with a damaged capsule, wash your hands immediately.

Because this drug can be absorbed by the skin and lungs, it may pose a risk to an unborn baby, so women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant are strongly discouraged from taking this drug in any form.

Never increase the dose of medicine without your doctor's permission because your condition may improve and there may be serious side effects.

How is Cyclophosphamide stored?

Cyclophosphamide is one of the best drugs when stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Cyclophosphamide dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Cyclophosphamide dosage for adults?

For people with severe disease, the cyclophosphamide dosage is:

• Infusion: The starting dose for patients without a history of blood disorders is between 40 and 50 mg / kg for 2 to 5 days. Doses can also be given 10 to 15 mg / kg for 7 to 10 days, or 5 mg / kg twice a week.
• Oral medication: 1-8 mg / kg per day during the initial dose

To treat uterine cancer, the dose of cyclophosphamide is:

• 600 mg / kg intravenously on the first day in combination with carboplatin or cisplatin. Do it every 28 days

To treat myeloma, the dose of cyclophosphamide is:

• 10 mg / kg IV on the first day combined with other chemotherapy treatments divided into M2.

What is the dose of Cyclophosphamide for children?

For severe disease, the cyclophosphamide dosage is:

• Infusion: the starting dose for patients without a history of blood disorders is between 40 and 50 mg / kg, which is usually taken within 2 to 5 days or 10 to 15 mg / kg taken in 7 to 10 days, or 5 mg / kg twice a week.
• Oral medication: 1-8 mg / kg per day during the initial dose

To treat nephrotic syndrome, the dose of cyclophosphamide is:

• The recommended dose is 2.5 - 3 mg / kg per day orally for 60 to 90 days.

In what dosage is Cyclophosphamide available?

Available cyclopgosphamide dosages are:

• 25 mg and 50 mg tablets
• Injection: 500 mg, 1 gram, and 2 grams

Cyclophosphamide side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Cyclophosphamide?

Tell your doctor right away if you experience some side effects such as:

• Blood in stool or urine
• Pain when passing stool or urine
• Pale face, weak body, unstable heartbeat, and difficulty concentrating
• Chest pain, dry cough and difficulty breathing
• Fever, sore throat, and flu symptoms appear
• Bruising and abnormal bleeding (in the nose, mouth, vagina and anus), purple or reddish skin
• Severe headaches
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
• Severe skin reactions - fever, sore throat, swelling of the face, tongue, sore eyes, sunburn, then red or purple skin then spreads and then peels off.

Other side effects include:

• Nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain and diarrhea
• Hair loss
• The wound doesn't heal
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Discoloration of skin and nails

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Cyclophosphamide Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Cyclophosphamide?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. Some things that should be considered before taking cyclophosphamide drugs are:

• Allergy.Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.
• Children.This medicine has been tested in children and has not shown side effects or problems that are different from the side effects experienced in adults.
• Elderly.This drug has not been tested specifically in the elderly, so there is no clear information regarding the detailed side effects. Although there is no clear information yet, it is recommended that you consult your doctor.

Is Cyclophosphamide safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States, or the equivalent of the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration Agency in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated

Cyclophosphamide Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Cyclophosphamide?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Rotavirus Vaccine, Live

Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 7, Live
• Allopurinol
• Amprenavir
• Atazanavir
• Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
• Boceprevir
• Carbamazepine
• Ceritinib
• Cobicistat
• Cyclosporine
• Darunavir
• Doxorubicin
• Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
• Eslicarbazepine Acetate
• Etanercept
• Fosamprenavir
• Fosphenytoin
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Indinavir
• Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
• Lopinavir
• Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
• Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
• Nelfinavir
• Nevirapine
• Nilotinib
• Nitisinone
• Pentostatin
• Phenytoin
• Ritonavir
• Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
• Saquinavir
• Siltuximab
• Vaccine Smallpox
• St. John's Wort
• Tamoxifen
• Telaprevir
• Tipranavir
• Trastuzumab
• Typhoid Vaccine
• Varicella Virus Vaccine
• Warfarin
• Yellow Fever Vaccine

Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Ondansetron
• Thiotepa

Can food or alcohol interact with Cyclophosphamide?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Cyclophosphamide?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Some of the health conditions that may interact with cyclophosphamide are:

• Chicken pox
• Herpes (shingles)
• Gout (gout)
• Kidney stones
• Infection
• Kidney disease
• Heartache
• Release of the adrenal glands
• Accumulation of tumor cells

Cyclophosphamide overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

The following symptoms occur due to overdose:

• Dark stool
• Red urine
• Unusual bruising and bleeding
• The body is tired and weak
• Sore throat, cough, fever and other signs of infection.
• Swelling of the feet and ankles
• Chest pain

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.