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Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide is a prescription medicine that is licensed to treat certain kidney problems in children and various types of cancer. A few of the types of cancer that it may be used to treat include leukemia, ovarian cancer, and lymphomas. The medicine works by cross-linking DNA cells and suppressing the immune system. It is available in both tablet and injection forms. Side effects may include hair loss, loss of appetite, and mouth sores.
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®) is a prescription chemotherapy medication that is used to treat various types of cancer. It is also approved to treat certain kidney problems in children. Specifically, it is approved to treat the following cancers:
- Lymphomas
- Multiple myeloma
- Leukemia
- Mycosis fungoides
- Neuroblastoma
- Ovarian cancer
- Retinoblastoma
- Breast cancer.
Cyclophosphamide is approved to treat "minimal change" nephrotic syndrome in children (a kidney disorder) when other treatments have failed.
(Click What Is Cyclophosphamide Used For? for more information on what the drug is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with cyclophosphamide. However, not everyone who takes the drug will have problems. In fact, some people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in some cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Side effects of cyclophosphamide include, but are not limited to:
- Nausea and vomiting (see Chemotherapy and Nausea)
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea (see Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea)
- Mouth sores (see Mouth and Gum Problems During Chemotherapy)
- Hair loss (see Cytoxan and Hair Loss)
- Low white blood cells
- Damage to the bladder
- Fertility problems.
(Click Cyclophosphamide Side Effects to learn more about the possible side effects of this drug, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD