Cyclophosphamide can be taken for Myeloma or Vasculitis.
Vasculitis causing renal failure can be due to different conditions (see the vasculitis page).
Cyclophosphamide is used to try and improve kidney function and to dampen down vasculitis, stopping it from causing any further damage to the body. It is often given in high doses to start with and followed by a smaller daily dose. Cyclophosphamide for Myeloma can be taken as a larger dose once a week or a smaller dose once a day. Your doctor will decide which is better for you.
Contraception should be used whilst taking cyclophosphamide and for 3 months afterwards because it is a harmful drug for unborn babies.
A vaccine is an injection to prevent you getting a particular disease. You should NOT be vaccinated with some vaccines whilst receiving Cyclophosphamide (see the vaccine page).
The tablets should be swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed. Ideally they should be taken with a full glass of water, you should check with your doctor about increasing your fluid intake.
If you are taking high dose cyclophosphamide with another tablet called mesna (see below), the mesna tablets can be broken in half or taken whole to get the dose needed.
Like all medicines cyclophosphamide can cause side effects.
With higher doses feeling sick is common, but this is reduced by a tablet called Ondansetron which is taken one hour before your first dose of cyclophosphamide.
Cyclophosphamide can cause inflammation of the bladder so, with higher doses, you will be given a tablet called mesna which will protect your bladder.
Hair loss can occur during treatment. It is more likely with the higher dose cyclophosphamide, smaller daily doses are less likely to cause a problem. Hair growth comes back again after finishing treatment and often comes back whilst remaining on low doses daily.
Cyclophosphamide can also cause a decrease in “white blood cells”; your doctor will check your blood regularly to make sure this does not occur.
Cyclophosphamide can cause a small decrease in fertility (less able to have a baby).
You are recommended to see your doctor about regular skin checks and, for women, regular cervical smears. This is because you are more likely to develop skin or cervical cancers which are not serious if noticed early.
You are more likely to develop infections whilst taking Cyclophosphamide and any infections may be worse than normal. You should report any signs of infection to your doctor.
Store the tablets in their original packet in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children. Only remove the tablets from the container when it is time to take them.
NKF Controlled Document No. 70, Cyclophosphamide, written 22 April 2000.
The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor.
Page created: 22 April 2000
Last updated: 6 July 2007
This website is intended for UK residents only.
If you have any comments about this site, please EMAIL the webmaster
