Cytoxan

Generic Name: Cyclophosphamide

Cytoxan belongs to the drugs for treatment of cancer with cytotoxic effect. Its active substance cyclophosphamide is converted in the liver by cytochrome P450 into 2 active substances acrolein and phosphoramide. They are the active compounds, and they slow the growth of cancer cells inhibiting their proliferation and metabolism. First of all this effect concerns cells of uncontrolled growing but also damages other cells of the body resulting in serious side effects. Cytoxan also can be referred to as immunosuppressive agent. Cytoxan is used to treat malignant lymphoma (lymphocytic and gistiotsitarnaya lymphoma, lymphogranulomatosis, Burkitt lymphoma, lymphoma, mixed type), multiple myeloma, leukemias (lymphocytic leukemia, granulocytic leukemia, myelocytic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children), neuroblastoma, ovarian adenocarcinoma, retinoblastoma, breast carcinoma.

Precautions
Carefulness should be exercised in patients with myelosuppression, liver or kidney disorders, with the previous radiation and chemotherapy. During treatment a regular monitoring of blood and urine count tests (for the presence of red blood cells) is required. In women of childbearing age a reliable contraception is recommended if Cytoxan is taken.

Contraindications
Hypersensitivity, severe myelosuppression.

Side effects
Side effects of Cytoxan include vulnerability to infections, the development of a secondary cancer, typically of the bladder, lymph nodes, or bone marrow. A secondary cancer may occur several years after the drug is given.

Drug interaction
Notify your doctor before to take anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin, allopurinol, and phenobarbital with Cytoxan. Correction of steroid hormones dosage should be done if they are taken with Cytoxan in patients with removed adrenal glands.

Missed dose
If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.

Overdose
Symptoms of Cytoxan overdose are not expected. If you suppose that took too much of it call your doctor immediately.