Neosar

Cyclophosphamide is a prescription cancer medication used alone, or in combination with other cancer medications, for the treatment of several types of cancer including:

• Malignant lymphomas (Stages III and IV of the Ann Arbor staging system), Hodgkin’s disease, lyphocytic lymphoma (nodular or diffuse), mixed-cell type lymphoma, histiocytic lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma (a type of cancer of the bone marrow)
• Leukemias (cancer of the white blood cells): Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic granulocytic leukemia (it is usually ineffective in acute blastic crisis), acute myelogenous and monocytic leukemia; acute lymphoblastic (stem-cell) leukemia in children (cyclophosphamide given during remission is effective in prolonging its duration)
• Mycosis fungoides (advanced disease)
• Neuroblastoma (cancer that begins in the nerve cells and occurs mainly in children)
• Ovarian cancer
• Retinoblastoma (cancer in the eye)
• Breast cancer

Cyclophosphamide is also approved to treat "minimal change" nephrotic syndrome in children (a kidney disorder) when other treatments have produced intolerable side effects or have failed.

Serious side effects can occur with cyclophosphamide use. See "Drug Precautions" section.

Other less serious, more common side effects include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• temporary hair loss
• mouth sores
• changes in skin or nail color
• menstrual changes
• temporary or permanent sterility

Talk to your doctor about any side effect that is bothersome or does not go away.

This is not a complete list of cyclophosphamide side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have occurred with cyclophosphamide use including:

• allergic reactions
• decreased bone marrow function and lower blood cell counts
• increased risk of developing certain cancers (sometimes years after taking cyclophosphamide)
• decreased fertility in both men and women (sometimes reversible)
• damage to the bladder
• increased risk of infection

If you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor right away.

• rash
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• shortness of breath
• sore throat, fever, chills, or other signs of infection
• poor or slow wound healing
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• black, tarry stools
• painful urination or red urine
• cough
• swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
• chest pain
• yellowing of the skin or eyes

Do not take cyclophospamide if you are allergic to any active or inactive components of the medication.

Talk to your doctor about the risks associated with cyclophosphamide therapy.

If you take too much cyclophosphamide call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If cyclophosphamide is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• If you have an allergy to cyclophosphamide or any other part of Neosar (cyclophosphamide injection).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have any of these health problems: Bone marrow disease or urinary tract block.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Neosar with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
• If you are taking Neosar once a day, take it in the morning. Do not take it at night unless told to do so by your doctor.
• Pass urine often. You need to empty your bladder often. Drinking lots of liquids will help.
• Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
• If you have upset stomach, throwing up, loose stools (diarrhea), or are not hungry, talk with your doctor. There may be ways to lower these side effects.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Not hungry.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Hair loss.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Belly pain.
• Change in color of skin.
• Change in nails.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.