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Quick facts

How it is given
intravenous, oral
Type
human prescription drug
RxNorm ID
1734917

We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.

What it is used to treat

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 therapy. Limitations of Use: The safety and effectiveness of cyclophosphamide for injection for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome in adults or other renal disease has not been established.

About this medicine

Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating drug. It is an antineoplastic drug chemically related to the nitrogen mustards. The chemical name for cyclophosphamide is 2-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]tetrahydro-2H-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine 2-oxide monohydrate, and has the following structural formula: Cyclophosphamide has a molecular formula of C 7 H 15 Cl 2 N 2 O 2 P•H 2 O and a molecular weight of 279.1. Cyclophosphamide is soluble in water, saline, or ethanol. Cyclophosphamide for Injection, USP is a sterile white cake available as 500 mg, 1 g and 2 g strength single dose vials. 500 mg vial contains 534.5 mg cyclophosphamide monohydrate equivalent to 500 mg cyclophosphamide and 375 mg mannitol 1 g vial contains 1069 mg cyclophosphamide monohydrate equivalent to 1 g cyclophosphamide and 750 mg mannitol 2 g vial contains 2138 mg cyclophosphamide monohydrate equivalent to 2 g cyclophosphamide and 1500 mg mannitol Cyclophosphamide Monohydrate Structure

How it works

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

Who should not take it

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 )

Warnings and cautions

Myelosuppression, Immunosuppression, Bone Marrow Failure and Infections: Severe immunosuppression may lead to serious and sometimes fatal infections. Close hematological monitoring is required. ( 5.1 ) Urinary Tract and Renal Toxicity: Hemorrhagic cystitis, pyelitis, ureteritis, and hematuria can occur. Urotoxicity can be fatal. Exclude or correct any urinary tract obstructions prior to treatment. ( 5.2 ) Cardiotoxicity: Myocarditis, myopericarditis, pericardial effusion, arrythmias and congestive heart failure, which may be fatal, have been reported. Monitor patients, especially those with risk factors for cardiotoxicity or pre-existing cardiac disease. ( 5.3 ) Pulmonary Toxicity: Pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary veno-occlusive disease leading to respiratory failure may occur. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pulmonary toxicity. ( 5.4 ) Secondary malignancies ( 5.5 ) Veno-occlusive Liver Disease: Fatal outcome can occur. ( 5.6 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of reproductive potential of the portential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.7 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Myelosuppression, Immunosuppression, Bone Marrow Failure and Infections Cyclophosphamide can cause myelosuppression (leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia), bone marrow failure, and severe immunosuppression which may lead to serious and sometimes fatal infections, including sepsis and septic shock. Latent infections can be reactivated [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . Antimicrobial prophylaxis may be indicated in certain cases of neutropenia at the discretion of the managing physician. In case of neutropenic fever, antibiotic therapy is indicated. Antimycotics and/or antivirals may also be indicated. Monitoring of complete blood counts is essential during cyclophosphamide treatment so that the dose can be adjusted, if needed. Cyclophosphamide should not be administered to patients with neutrophils ≤1,500/mm 3 and platelets < 50,000/mm 3 . Cyclophosphamide treatment may not be indicated, or should be interrupted, or the dose reduced, in patients who have or who develop a serious infection. […]

Reported side effects

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). […]

Interactions with other medicines

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. […]

Use in specific groups

Lactation: Advise not to breastfeed. ( 8.2 ) Renal Impairment: Monitor for toxicity in patients with moderate and severe renal impairment. ( 8.6 , 12.3 ) See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its mechanism of action and published reports of effects in pregnant patients or animals, cyclophosphamide for injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 ) and Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )]. Exposure to cyclophosphamide during pregnancy may cause fetal malformations, miscarriage, fetal growth retardation, and toxic effects in the newborn [see Data] . Cyclophosphamide is teratogenic and embryo-fetal toxic in mice, rats, rabbits and monkeys [see Data] . Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects is 2%-4% and miscarriage is 15%-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Data Human Data Malformations of the skeleton, palate, limbs and eyes as well as miscarriage have been reported after exposure to cyclophosphamide in the first trimester. Fetal growth retardation and toxic effects manifesting in the newborn, including leukopenia, anemia, pancytopenia, severe bone marrow hypoplasia, and gastroenteritis have been reported after exposure to cyclophosphamide. Animal Data Administration of cyclophosphamide to pregnant mice, rats, rabbits and monkeys during the period of organogenesis at doses at or below the dose in patients based on body surface area resulted in various malformations, which included neural tube defects, limb and digit defects and other skeletal anomalies, cleft lip and palate, and reduced skeletal ossification. 8.2 Lactation Risk summary Cyclophosphamide is present in breast milk. Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, low hemoglobin, and diarrhea have been reported in infants breast fed by women treated with cyclophosphamide. […]

If too much is taken

No specific antidote for cyclophosphamide is known. Overdosage should be managed with supportive measures, including appropriate treatment for any concurrent infection, myelosuppression, or cardiac toxicity should it occur. Serious consequences of overdosage include manifestations of dose dependent toxicities such as myelosuppression, urotoxicity, cardiotoxicity (including cardiac failure), veno-occlusive hepatic disease, and stomatitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.3 , and 5.6 )] . Patients who received an overdose should be closely monitored for the development of toxicities, and hematologic toxicity in particular. Cyclophosphamide and its metabolites are dialyzable. Therefore, rapid hemodialysis is indicated when treating any suicidal or accidental overdose or intoxication [ see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Cystitis prophylaxis with mesna may be helpful in preventing or limiting urotoxic effects with cyclophosphamide overdose.

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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 20 December 2024. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.