What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- black, tarry stools
- blood in stools
- blood in the urine
- cough or hoarseness
- darkening of skin and fingernails
- diarrhea
- fever or chills
- frequent urination
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- painful or difficult urination
- pinpoint red spots on skin
- rash, hives, or itching swollen lips
- stomach pain
- sudden shortness of breath
- temporary loss of hair (returns after treatments end, although texture or color may change)
- unusual bleeding or bruising
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.
Allergic reactions: A severe reaction, including dizziness, rash, swelling of the mouth and throat, and difficulty breathing may be experienced by some people.
Bladder: This medication can cause bladder irritation. People taking this medication should drink lots of fluids to make sure that cyclophosphamide is not sitting in the bladder for long periods of time.
Damage to cells: This medication can potentially cause cancer, birth defects, and temporary or permanent fertility problems.
Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, this medication can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Avoid contact with people with contagious infections, and tell your doctor if you begin to notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills.
Risk of bleeding: This medication can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that won't stop bleeding.
Wound healing: This medication may slow down healing of wounds after surgery or following trauma.
Pregnancy: Cyclophosphamide has caused fetal damage in experimental animals. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking cyclophosphamide, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. The following medications may affect the way cyclophosphamide works, be affected by cyclophosphamide, or increase the risk of side effects:
- general anaesthesia
- other cancer drugs
- phenobarbital
- succinylchloline chloride
If you are taking any of these or other medications (including non-prescription, herbal, and supplement products), speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want to change your therapy or may suggest ways of managing any interactions. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your doctor know if you use them. Medications other than those listed above may also interact with this medication.