Procytox

The recommended dose of Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) varies widely according to the specific condition being treated, the response to therapy, and other medications being used. The dose is based on body weight. It is available as an intravenous (into the vein) injection and as an oral tablet.

The intravenous form is injected into a specially prepared site on the skin. The dosing regimen for Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) varies widely. Tablets are sometimes taken on a daily basis in smaller doses, but can also be given in larger doses for a few days at a time with 2- to 4-week intervals between doses.

The intravenous form of the medication is sometimes administered twice a week, but larger doses may be given once every 3 to 4 weeks depending on the condition being treated. The intravenous form of Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) is always given under the supervision of a doctor. Very careful handling of Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) is required. It is always given in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) is excreted in urine. Your bladder will become irritated if the urine containing Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) stays inside it for too long. It is therefore important that you drink extra fluids while taking Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) so that extra urine is passed. The bladder should be emptied frequently so that the kidneys continue to work well. You may need to drink up to 7 to 12 cups of fluid a day.

Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) tablets must be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. They should be taken first thing in the morning to reduce the risk of bladder problems. Talk with your doctor about the best dosing schedule for your circumstances. Taking the medication with food can decrease stomach upset. Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) may cause nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite, but it is important that you continue to use the medicine. Do not stop taking the medicine without talking with your doctor. If you vomit shortly after taking a dose of medicine, call your doctor for instructions on whether to skip that dose or to take another dose. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor for instructions. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

As well as interfering with the genetic material DNA of cancer cells, Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) can interfere with some of your normal cells. This can cause a number of side effects such as hair loss and mouth sores. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor as suggested in the section "What side effects are possible with Procytox (Cyclophosphamide)?"

Store Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause hair loss; it may cause mouth irritation and sores; it may decrease your appetite; it may cause diarrhea; it may lower your white blood cell count, which can lead to unusual tiredness, fever, chills, sore throat or infections - if you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away; it may cause nausea and vomiting. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Injection

Each vial contains 200 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg, or 2000 mg of Procytox (Cyclophosphamide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: none.

Tablets

25 mg
Each round, deeply biconvex, white to off-white, sugar-coated tablet contains 26.7 mg of Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) monohydrate equivalent to 25 mg anhydrous Procytox (Cyclophosphamide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium carbonate, cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate, gelatin, glycerin, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, povidone, silicon dioxide, starch (corn), sucrose, talc, titanium dioxide, and wax.

50 mg
Each round, deeply biconvex, off-white, sugar-coated tablet contains 53.5 mg of Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) monohydrate, equivalent to 50 mg of anhydrous Procytox (Cyclophosphamide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium carbonate, cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate, gelatin, glycerin, lactose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, povidone, silicon dioxide, starch (corn), sucrose, talc, titanium dioxide, and wax.

Do not use Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) if you:

• are allergic to Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) or any ingredients of Procytox (Cyclophosphamide)
• are breast-feeding
• have inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) or urinary outflow obstructions
• have severe liver problems
• have severe kidney problems
• have low platelet counts
• have severe low white blood cell counts
• have an active infection, particularly varicella zoster infection

There may be an interaction between Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) and any of the following:

• Allopurinol
• Amiodarone
• amphotericin B
• Azathioprine
• bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)
• Belimumab
• Carbamazepine
• ciprofloxacin
• Clozapine
• Colchicine
• Cyclosporine
• Dabrafenib
• Deferiprone
• Denosumab
• Digoxin
• echinacea
• efavirenz
• Etanercept
• Filgrastim
• Fingolimod
• grapefruit juice
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Indomethacin
• Leflunomide
• lumacaftor
• mifepristone
• Natalizumab
• nevirapine
• Nilotinib
• Nivolumab
• other cancer medications (e.g., Busulfan, dauronrubicin, Doxorubicin, Idarubicin)
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Pimecrolimus
• rifampin
• Roflumilast
• Tacrolimus
• thiazide diuretics (water pills; e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, Metolazone)
• Tofacitinib
• vaccines
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Procytox (Cyclophosphamide). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Procytox (Cyclophosphamide).

Anemia: Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Birth control: If you or your partner is of childbearing age, talk to your doctor about appropriate birth control while using Procytox (Cyclophosphamide). Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) is expected to cause birth defects, if the fetus is exposed to the medication during pregnancy. Men who are taking Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) should not father a child for at least 6 months after completing treatment with Procytox (Cyclophosphamide).

Bleeding: Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) can cause a reduced number of platelets in the blood, which can make it difficult to stop cuts from bleeding. If you notice any signs of bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, or black and tarry stools, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will order routine blood tests to make sure potential problems are caught early.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) may affect the mental or physical abilities needed to drive or operate machinery. Avoid driving or performing other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how you are affected by Procytox (Cyclophosphamide).

Heart problems: Inflammation of the heart and irregular heart rhythms have been reported with Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) use. If you have heart problems, discuss with your doctor how Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Procytox (Cyclophosphamide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of irregular heartbeat or decreased heart function, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, swollen ankles, or rapid weight gain, contact your doctor immediately.

Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) reduces the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people with contagious infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.

Kidney function: The kidneys are partially responsible for removing Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) from your body. Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Procytox (Cyclophosphamide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) may not be as effective when used by people with severely reduced liver function. It may also cause blockage of some of the veins in the liver, causing weight gain, enlargement of the liver, fluid build-up in the abdomen, and jaundice. If you experience any symptoms of liver problems, contact your doctor immediately.

Lung inflammation: Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) can cause severe inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis). It has also been reported to cause blockage in the veins in the lungs. Pneumonitis has been reported to develop at any point in treatment with Procytox (Cyclophosphamide). Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience difficulty breathing, cough, a burning sensation in your chest, or symptoms of not getting enough oxygen, such as a bluish discolouration to the lips or fingernail, unusual fatigue, or weight loss.

Other cancers: The use of Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) may increase your risk of developing other types of cancers, including bladder or urinary tract cancer, lymphoma (cancer of the lymph tissue), and Thyroid cancer. Discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor.

Surgery: If you are scheduled to have surgery, inform the doctors involved in your care if you have taken Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) within the last 10 days.

Urinary tract problems: Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) can cause damage to the bladder. The risk of developing bladder problems can be reduced by making sure that you consume a large amount of water. It is also important to empty your bladder (urinate) on a regular basis. If you experience symptoms of burning or pain on urination, or blood in your urine, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Vaccines: As a result of the decreased effectiveness of the immune system, vaccines may not be as effective as they are when given to people with a strong immune system. Vaccines are generally not recommended to be given to people who are being treated with Procytox (Cyclophosphamide).

Pregnancy: Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) is expected to be harmful to the developing baby if it is used by the mother during pregnancy. It is best for both men and women to use birth control while being treated with this drug. Tell the doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using this drug. It should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.

Breast-feeding: Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and taking Procytox (Cyclophosphamide), it may affect your baby. Women are advised not breast-feed while receiving Procytox (Cyclophosphamide) treatment.

To fully benefit from the effect of this medication, and to limit any adverse reactions, make sure that the health care facility overseeing your treatment has provided you with all the information needed to properly administer this drug. This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may irritate the stomach, and should be taken with food. It is best to avoid coffee, spicy food or alcohol. It is recommended to drink plenty of water while using this medication. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice during your treatment. Grapefruit can seriously affect how this medication works.