It's normal to feel a little scared and anxious when you or a loved one is prescribed chemotherapy as a treatment for cancer. But once you are fully informed about these treatments, that fear will go away to a great extent. Cyclophosphamide is one such important and powerful drug that controls the growth of cancer cells. So today, let's talk about this drug simply, as if we were telling a friend.
What kind of medicine is Cyclophosphamide?
Simply put, Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapy drug that slows down or stops the growth of cancer cells. This drug targets the rapidly dividing cells in our body. Cancer cells are also a type of rapidly dividing cell. This drug is used to treat various types of cancer. For example:
- Lymphoma
- Myeloma
- Leukemia
- Breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
Your doctor may prescribe this medicine to treat many types of cancer, including:
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before you start treatment with Cyclophosphamide, it is very important to tell your doctor about your complete health history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions below.
- If you have a history of heart disease or irregular heartbeat.
- If you have an existing infectious condition (such as fever, cough, cold).
- If you have any kidney disease or difficulty urinating.
- If you are on hemodialysis .
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have previously been diagnosed with low white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets in your blood.
- If you have recently or are currently undergoing radiation therapy .
- If there is scarring or thickening in the lungs.
- If you are pregnant , trying to get pregnant , or breastfeeding .
- If you have had an allergic reaction to cyclophosphamide, other medications, foods, or dyes in the past.
Providing this information accurately will greatly help your medical team provide you with the most appropriate and safest treatment.
How is this medicine administered to the body?
Cyclophosphamide is not a medicine you can take home. It is given to you in a hospital or clinic by a specially trained doctor or nurse. It is usually given in one of several ways:
- As an injection into a vein .
- Through a saline infusion into a vein, gradually entering the body.
- Sometimes as an injection into a muscle .
If you are giving this medicine to your child, you should talk to your pediatrician about it and take special care.
What to do if the medication dose increases?
This is a medicine given in a hospital, so the chances of this happening are low. However, if you think you have overdosed, you should immediately inform the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or the nearest Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
Things to consider when undergoing treatment
You need to take special care of yourself while taking this medicine.
Pregnancy and Fertility
This is a very important matter.
- Women: Avoid becoming pregnant completely while taking this medicine and for one year after stopping treatment. Use a reliable form of birth control during this time.
- Men: Avoid fathering a child while you are taking this medicine and for 4 months after stopping treatment.
This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. It can also cause ovarian failure in some women and reduce sperm count in men. So if you have any concerns about your fertility, talk to your doctor before starting treatment.
Protect yourself from infections
Cyclophosphamide reduces your body's immunity, which means your body's ability to fight off disease. This makes you more likely to get infections.
- If you develop symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, or cough , do not self-medicate and call your doctor immediately.
- Stay away from people who have illnesses like colds during this time.
- Be careful when brushing your teeth and using toothpicks. Your gums may bleed. If you are having dental treatment, tell your dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Other important things
- Drink plenty of water and fluids. Get the amount of fluids your doctor recommends each day. Urinate frequently. This will help flush out some of the harmful effects of the medication from your body.
- If you are going to have another surgery or medical procedure, tell the doctor that you are taking Cyclophosphamide.
- Do not take painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen without your doctor's advice. These may suppress the fever and make it difficult to detect an infection.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any powerful medicine, Cyclophosphamide can have side effects. Some of these are serious, while others are common. It is important to be aware of these.
| Side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of bleeding | Black or tarry stools; red or dark brown urine; vomiting blood that looks like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bleeding from the eyes, gums, or nose. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Fast or irregular heartbeat, sudden weight gain, swelling of the ankles, feet, and hands. |
| Signs of an infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, pain when urinating. |
| Symptoms of kidney damage | Difficulty urinating or a change in the amount of urine you pass. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow or brown urine; yellowing of the eyes or skin; pain in the upper right side of the stomach; loss of appetite; nausea. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious (but tell your doctor if they persist) | |
| Hair loss | This is common, and hair will grow back after treatment is complete. |
| Other minor ailments | Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, loss of appetite, headache, skin discoloration, cessation of menstruation. |
Take-Home Message
- Cyclophosphamide is a powerful chemotherapy drug that kills cancer cells. It is only given in a hospital.
- Before starting treatment, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- Avoid pregnancy completely during treatment and for a certain period of time afterwards.
- Protect yourself from infections as your immunity will be reduced. If you develop symptoms such as fever or a cold, tell your doctor immediately.
- Drink plenty of fluids and urinate frequently.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, unusual bleeding, or swelling, seek medical advice immediately.
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