Cyclophosphamide
Also sold as: Frindovyx
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: Alkylating Activity (source: RxClass/NLM)
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- dacarbazineAlkylating ActivitySame Class
- temozolomideAlkylating ActivitySame Class
- ifosfamideAlkylating ActivitySame Class
- mitomycinAlkylating ActivitySame Class
- lomustineAlkylating ActivitySame Class
- mechlorethamineAlkylating ActivitySame Class
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action has not been fully characterized. However, cross-linking of tumor cell DNA may be involved. The active alkylating metabolites of cyclophosphamide interfere with the growth of susceptible rapidly proliferating malignant cells
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Cyclophosphamide for injection is an alkylating drug indicated for treatment of adults and pediatric patients with: Malignant Diseases: malignant lymphomas: Hodgkin’s disease, lymphocytic lymphoma, mixed-cell type lymphoma, histiocytic lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma; multiple myeloma, leukemias, mycosis fungoides, neuroblastoma, adenocarcinoma of ovary, retinoblastoma, breast carcinoma ( 1.1 ) Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome in Pediatric Patients: biopsy proven minimal change nephrotic syndrome patients who failed to adequately respond to or are unable to tolerate adrenocorticosteroid therapy ( 1.2 ) Limitations of Use: The safety and effectiveness for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome in adults or other renal disease has not been established. (1.2) 1.1 Malignant Diseases Cyclophosphamide for injection is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with: malignant lymphomas (Stages III and IV of the Ann Arbor staging system), Hodgkin's disease, lymphocytic lymphoma (nodular or diffuse), mixed-cell type lymphoma, histiocytic lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma multiple myeloma leukemias: chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic granulocytic leukemia (it is usually ineffective in acute blastic crisis), acute myelogenous and monocytic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic (stem-cell) leukemia (cyclophosphamide given during remission is effective in prolonging its duration) mycosis fungoides (advanced disease) neuroblastoma (disseminated disease) adenocarcinoma of the ovary retinoblastoma carcinoma of the breast Cyclophosphamide, although effective alone in susceptible malignancies, is more frequently used concurrently or sequentially with other antineoplastic drugs. 1.2 Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome in Pediatric Patients Cyclophosphamide for injection is indicated for the treatment of biopsy proven minimal change nephrotic syndrome in pediatrics patients who failed to adequately respond to or are unable to tolerate adrenocorticosteroid thera
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION During or immediately after cyclophosphamide for injection administration, administer adequate amounts of fluid to reduce the risk of urinary tract toxicity ( 2.1 ). Malignant Diseases: Adult and Pediatric Patients ( 2.2 ) Intravenous: Initial course for patients with no hematologic deficiency: 40 mg per kg to 50 mg per kg in divided doses over 2 to 5 days. Other regimens include 10 mg per kg to 15 mg per kg given every 7 to 10 days or 3 mg per kg to 5 mg per kg twice weekly. Oral: 1 mg per kg per day to 5 mg per kg per day for both initial and maintenance dosing. Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome in Pediatric Patients ( 2.3 ) Oral: 2 mg per kg daily for 8 to 12 weeks (maximum cumulative dose 168 mg per kg). Treatment beyond 90 days increases the probability of sterility in males. ( 8.4 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions During or immediately after the administration of cyclophosphamide for injection, adequate amounts of fluid should be ingested or infused to force diuresis in order to reduce the risk of urinary tract toxicity. Therefore, cyclophosphamide for injection should be administered in the morning. 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Malignant Diseases Adults and Pediatric Patients Intravenous Use When used as the only oncolytic drug therapy, the recommended dosage for the initial course of cyclophosphamide for injection for patients with no hematologic deficiency is 40 mg per kg to 50 mg per kg given intravenously in divided doses over a period of 2 to 5 days. Other intravenous regimens include 10 mg per kg to 15 mg per kg given every 7 to 10 days or 3 mg per kg to 5 mg per kg twice weekly. Oral Use The recommended dosage for oral cyclophosphamide is 1 mg per kg per day to 5 mg per kg per day for both initial and maintenance dosing. Adjust the dosage of cyclophosphamide for injection based on the specific regimen administered, response to treatment, myelosuppression or other adverse reactions, and patient risk factors [see Warning and Precautions (5)]. 2.3 Recommended Dosage for Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome in Pediatric Patients The recommended dosage is 2 mg per kg orally once daily for 8 to 12 weeks (maximum cumulative dose 168 mg per kg) is recommended. Treatment beyond 90 days increases the probability of sterility in males [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] . 2.4 Preparation, Handling and Administration Cyclophosphamide for injection is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1 Caution should be exercised when handling and preparing cyclophosphamide for injection. To minimize the risk of dermal exposure, always wear gloves when handling vials containing cyclophosphamide for injection. Cyclophosphamide for Injection Intravenous Administration Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not use cyclophosphamide vials if there are signs of melting. Melted cyclophosphamide is a clear or yellowish viscous liquid usually found as a connected phase or in droplets in the affected vials. Cyclophosphamide for injection does not contain any antimicrobial preservative and thus care must be taken to assure the sterility of prepared solutions. Use aseptic technique. For Direct Intravenous Injection Reconstitute cyclophosphamide for injection with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP only, using the volumes listed below in Table 1. Shake the vial vigorously to dissolve the drug completely. Do not use Sterile Water for Injection, USP because it results in a hypotonic solution and should not be injected directly. Discard unused solution. Table 1: Reconstitution for Direct Intravenous Injection Strength Volume of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP Cyclophosphamide Concentration 500 mg 25 mL 20 mg per mL 1 g 50 mL 2 g 100 mL For Intravenous Infusion Reconstitution of Cyclophosphamide for Injection: Reconstitute cyclophosphamide for injection using 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or Sterile Water for Injection, USP with the volume of diluent listed below in Table 2. Add the diluent to the vial and shake the vial vigorously to dissolve the drug completely. Discard unused solution. Table 2: Reconstitution in preparation for Intravenous Infusion Strength Volume of Diluent Cyclophosphamide Concentration 500 mg 25 mL 20 mg per mL 1 g 50 mL 2 g 100 mL Dilution of Reconstituted Cyclophosphamide for Injection: Further dilute the reconstituted cyclophosphamide for injection solution to a minimum concentration of 2 mg per mL with any of the following diluents: 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP 5% Dextrose Injection, USP 5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP To reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions that appear to be administration rate-dependent (e.g., facial swelling, headache, nasal congestion, scalp burning), cyclophosphamide should be injected or infused very slowly. Duration of the infusion also sho
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling. Hypersensitivity [see Contraindications ( 4 )] Myelosuppression, Immunosuppression, Bone Marrow Failure, and Infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Urinary Tract and Renal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Cardiotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Pulmonary Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Secondary Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Veno-occlusive Liver Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Infertility [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.3 , 8.4 )] Impaired Wound Healing [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Hyponatremia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Adverse reactions reported most often include neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, fever, alopecia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact XGen Pharmaceuticals DJB, Inc. at 1-866-390-4411 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials and Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions associated with the use of cyclophosphamide were identified in clinical studies or postmarketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. The most common adverse reactions were neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, fever, alopecia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cardiac : cardiac arrest, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, cardiogenic shock, pericardial effusion (progressing to cardiac tamponade), myocardial hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, cardiac failure (including fatal outcomes), cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, pericarditis, carditis, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular arrhythmia, ventricular arrhythmia, bradycardia, tachycardia, palpitations, QT prolongation. Congenital, Familial and Genetic: intra-uterine death, fetal malformation, fetal growth retardation, fetal toxicity (including myelosuppression, gastroenteritis). Ear and Labyrinth : deafness, hearing impaired, tinnitus. Endocrine: water intoxication. Eye: visual impairment, conjunctivitis, lacrimation. Gastrointestinal: gastrointestinal hemorrhage, acute pancreatitis, colitis, enteritis, cecitis, stomatitis, constipation, parotid gland inflammation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea General Disorders and Administrative Site Conditions: multiorgan failure, general physical deterioration, influenza-like illness, injection/infusion site reactions (thrombosis, necrosis, phlebitis, inflammation, pain, swelling, erythema), pyrexia, edema, chest pain, mucosal inflammation, asthenia, pain, chills, fatigue, malaise, headache, febrile neutropenia. Hematologic: myelosuppression, bone marrow failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation and hemolytic uremic syndrome (with thrombotic microangiopathy). Hepatic: veno-occlusive liver disease, cholestatic hepatitis, cytolytic hepatitis, hepatitis, cholestasis; hepatotoxicity with hepatic failure, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, hepatomegaly, blood bilirubin increased, hepatic function abnormal, hepatic enzymes increased. Immune: immunosuppression, anaphylactic shock and hypersensitivity reaction. Infections : The following manifestations have been associated with myelosuppression and immunosuppression caused by cyclophosphamide: increased risk for and severity of pneumonias (including fatal outcomes), other bacterial, fungal, viral, protozoal and, parasitic infections; reactivation of latent infections, (including viral hepatitis, tuberculosis), Pneumocystis jiroveci , herpes zoster, Strongyloides , sepsis and septic shock. Investigations : blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, C-reactive protein increased. Metabolism and Nutrition: hyponatremia, fluid retention, blood glucose increased, blood glucose decreased. Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue: rhabdomyolysis, scleroderma, muscle spasms, myalgia, arthralgia. Neoplasms: acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, lymphoma, sarcomas, renal cell carcinoma, renal pelvis cancer, bladder cancer, ureteric cancer, thyroid cancer. Nervous System : encephalopathy, convulsion, dizziness, neurotoxicity has been reported and manifested as reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, myelopathy, peripheral neuropathy, polyneuropathy, neuralgia, dysesthesia, hypoesthesia, paresthesia, tremor, dysgeusia, hypogeusia, parosmia. Pregnancy: premature labor. Psychiatric: confusional state. Renal and Urinary: renal failure, renal tubular disorder, renal impairment, nephropathy toxic, hemorrhagic cystitis, bladder necrosis, cystitis ulcerative, bladder contracture, hematuria, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, atypical urinary bladder epithelial cells. Reproductive System: infertility, ovarian failure, ovarian disorder, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea,
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on Cyclophosphamide Exposure Protease Inhibitors Concomitant use of protease inhibitors may increase the concentration of cytotoxic metabolites and may enhance the toxicities of cyclophosphamide, including higher incidence of infections, neutropenia, and mucositis. Monitor for increased toxicities in patients receiving protease inhibitors. 7.2 Drugs that Potentiate Cyclophosphamide Toxicities Radiation therapy or drugs with similar toxicities to cyclophosphamide for injection can potentiate toxicities for cyclophosphamide. Monitor for increased toxicities in patients receiving radiation therapy or drugs known to cause: Myelosuppression and/or immunosuppression [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Nephrotoxicity including hemorrhagic cystitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Cardiotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Pulmonary toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Secondary malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Hepatotoxicity including liver necrosis and VOD [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] 7.3 Effect of Cyclophosphamide on Other Drugs Metronidazole Acute encephalopathy has been reported in a patient receiving cyclophosphamide and metronidazole. Monitor for neurologic toxicities in patients receiving metronidazole. Tamoxifen Concomitant use of tamoxifen and a cyclophosphamide-containing chemotherapy regimen may increase the risk of thromboembolic complications. Monitor for signs and symptoms of thromboembolic events in patients receiving tamoxifen. Coumarins Both increased and decreased warfarin effect have been reported in patients receiving warfarin and cyclophosphamide. Monitor anticoagulant activity closely in patients receiving warfarin or other coumarins. Cyclosporine Concomitant administration of cyclophosphamide may decrease serum concentrations of cyclosporine. This interaction may result in an increased incidence of graft-versus-host disease. Monitor for signs and symptoms of graft-versus-host disease in patients receiving cyclosporine. Depolarizing muscle relaxants If a patient has been treated with cyclophosphamide within 10 days of general anesthesia, alert the anesthesiologist. Cyclophosphamide causes a marked and persistent inhibition of cholinesterase activity. Prolonged apnea may occur with concurrent depolarizing muscle relaxants (e.g., succinylcholine).
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity Cyclophosphamide for injection is contraindicated in patients who have a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to cyclophosphamide, any of its metabolites, or to other components of the product. Anaphylactic reactions including death have been reported with cyclophosphamide. Cross-sensitivity with other alkylating agents can occur. Urinary Outflow Obstruction Cyclophosphamide for injection is contraindicated in patients with urinary outflow obstruction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Hypersensitivity to cyclophosphamide ( 4 ) Urinary outflow obstruction ( 4 )
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Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from FDA-approved labeling data and is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. This information does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always verify with current prescribing information and consult a licensed healthcare professional before any clinical decision. Read full disclaimer.
Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.