Cyclophosphamide Drug Information

Generic name: CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE

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Uses of Cyclophosphamide

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.

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.

Dosage & Administration of Cyclophosphamide

StrengthVolume of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP
500 mg25 mL
1 g50 mL
2 g100 mL

Side Effects of Cyclophosphamide

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, testicular atrophy, azoospermia, oligospermia. Respiratory: pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, interstitial lung disease as manifested by respiratory failure (including fatal outcomes), obliterative bronchiolitis, organizing pneumonia, alveolitis allergic, pneumonitis, pulmonary hemorrhage; respiratory distress, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, bronchospasm, dyspnea, hypoxia, cough, nasal congestion, nasal discomfort, oropharyngeal pain, rhinorrhea.

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue: toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, radiation recall dermatitis, toxic skin eruption, urticaria, dermatitis, blister, pruritus, erythema, nail disorder, facial swelling, hyperhidrosis, alopecia. Tumor lysis syndrome: like other cytotoxic drugs, cyclophosphamide may induce tumor-lysis syndrome and hyperuricemia in patients with rapidly growing tumors. Vascular: pulmonary embolism, venous thrombosis, vasculitis, peripheral ischemia, hypertension, hypotension, flushing, hot flush.

Warnings & Cautions for Cyclophosphamide

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 . 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.

G-CSF may be administered to reduce the risks of neutropenia complications associated with cyclophosphamide use. Primary and secondary prophylaxis with G-CSF should be considered in all patients considered to be at increased risk for neutropenia complications. The nadirs of the reduction in leukocyte count and thrombocyte count are usually reached in weeks 1 and 2 of treatment.

Peripheral blood cell counts are expected to normalize after approximately 20 days. Bone marrow failure has been reported. Severe myelosuppression may be expected particularly in patients pretreated with and/or receiving concomitant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

Urinary Tract and Renal Toxicity Hemorrhagic cystitis, pyelitis, ureteritis, and hematuria have

been reported with cyclophosphamide. Medical and/or surgical supportive treatment may be required to treat protracted cases of severe hemorrhagic cystitis. Discontinue cyclophosphamide therapy in case of severe hemorrhagic cystitis.

Urotoxicity (bladder ulceration, necrosis, fibrosis, contracture and secondary cancer) may require interruption of cyclophosphamide treatment or cystectomy. Urotoxicity can be fatal. Urotoxicity can occur with short-term or long-term use of cyclophosphamide.

Before starting treatment, exclude or correct any urinary tract obstructions . Urinary sediment should be checked regularly for the presence of erythrocytes and other signs of urotoxicity and/or nephrotoxicity. Cyclophosphamide should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with active urinary tract infections. Aggressive hydration with forced diuresis and frequent bladder emptying can reduce the frequency and severity of bladder toxicity.

Mesna has been used to prevent severe bladder toxicity.

Cardiotoxicity Myocarditis, myopericarditis, pericardial effusion including cardiac tamponade, and congestive heart failure

which may be fatal, have been reported with cyclophosphamide therapy. Supraventricular arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation and flutter) and ventricular arrhythmias (including severe QT prolongation associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmia) have been reported after treatment with regimens that included cyclophosphamide. The risk of cardiotoxicity may be increased with high doses of cyclophosphamide, in patients with advanced age, and in patients with previous radiation treatment to the cardiac region and/or previous or concomitant treatment with other cardiotoxic agents.

Particular caution is necessary in patients with risk factors for cardiotoxicity and in patients with pre-existing cardiac disease. Monitor patients with risk factors for cardiotoxicity and with pre-existing cardiac disease.

Pulmonary Toxicity Pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary veno-occlusive disease and other forms of

pulmonary toxicity leading to respiratory failure have been reported during and following treatment with cyclophosphamide. Late onset pneumonitis (greater than 6 months after start of cyclophosphamide) appears to be associated with increased mortality. Pneumonitis may develop years after treatment with cyclophosphamide.

Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pulmonary toxicity.

Secondary Malignancies Cyclophosphamide is genotoxic . Secondary malignancies (urinary tract cancer, myelodysplasia

acute leukemias, lymphomas, thyroid cancer, and sarcomas) have been reported in patients treated with cyclophosphamide-containing regimens. The risk of bladder cancer may be reduced by prevention of hemorrhagic cystitis.

Veno-occlusive Liver Disease Veno-occlusive liver disease (VOD) including fatal outcome has been

reported in patients receiving cyclophosphamide-containing regimens. A cytoreductive regimen in preparation for bone marrow transplantation that consists of cyclophosphamide in combination with whole-body irradiation, busulfan, or other agents has been identified as a major risk factor. VOD has also been reported to develop gradually in patients receiving long-term low-dose immunosuppressive doses of cyclophosphamide.

Other risk factors predisposing to the development of VOD include preexisting disturbances of hepatic function, previous radiation therapy of the abdomen, and a low performance status.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

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 . Exposure to cyclophosphamide during pregnancy may cause birth defects, miscarriage, fetal growth retardation, and fetotoxic effects in the newborn. Cyclophosphamide is teratogenic and embryo-fetal toxic in mice, rats, rabbits and monkeys. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus . Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with cyclophosphamide for injection and for up to 1 year after completion of therapy.

Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with cyclophosphamide for injection and for 4 months after completion of therapy .

Infertility Male and female reproductive function and fertility may be impaired in

patients being treated with cyclophosphamide for injection. Cyclophosphamide interferes with oogenesis and spermatogenesis. It may cause sterility in both sexes.

Development of sterility appears to depend on the dose of cyclophosphamide, duration of therapy, and the state of gonadal function at the time of treatment. Cyclophosphamide-induced sterility may be irreversible in some patients. Advise patients on the potential risks for infertility .

Impairment of Wound Healing Cyclophosphamide may interfere with normal wound healing. 5.10

Hyponatremia Hyponatremia associated with increased total body water, acute water intoxication, and a syndrome resembling SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone), which may be fatal, has been reported.

Drug Interactions with Cyclophosphamide

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.

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 Nephrotoxicity including hemorrhagic cystitis Cardiotoxicity Pulmonary toxicity Secondary malignancies Hepatotoxicity including liver necrosis and VOD

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).

Pregnancy Safety for Cyclophosphamide

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. Exposure to cyclophosphamide during pregnancy may cause fetal malformations, miscarriage, fetal growth retardation, and toxic effects in the newborn . Cyclophosphamide is teratogenic and embryo-fetal toxic in mice, rats, rabbits and monkeys . 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.

Pediatric Use of Cyclophosphamide

Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of cyclophosphamide have been established in pediatric patients and information on this use is discussed throughout the labeling. Pre-pubescent females who receive cyclophosphamide generally develop secondary sexual characteristics normally and have regular menses. Ovarian fibrosis with apparently complete loss of germ cells after prolonged administration of cyclophosphamide in late pre-pubescence has been reported.

Females who received cyclophosphamide who have retained ovarian function after completing treatment are at increased risk of developing premature menopause. Pre-pubescent males who receive cyclophosphamide develop secondary sexual characteristics normally, but may have oligospermia or azoospermia and increased gonadotropin secretion. Some degree of testicular atrophy may occur.

Cyclophosphamide-induced azoospermia is reversible in some patients, though the reversibility may not occur for several years after cessation of therapy.

Contraindications for Cyclophosphamide

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 . Hypersensitivity to cyclophosphamide Urinary outflow obstruction

Overdosage Information for Cyclophosphamide

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 . 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. Cystitis prophylaxis with mesna may be helpful in preventing or limiting urotoxic effects with cyclophosphamide overdose.

Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.

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