Cyclophosphamide for AIHA

Overview
Cyclophosphamide is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating cancers including multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma. In some cases, cyclophosphamide is prescribed off-label in combination with steroids to treat autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in people who do not respond well to azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil and/or high-dose steroids. Cyclophosphamide is also known by its brand names Cytoxan and Neosar.

Cyclophosphamide is an anti-cancer drug used in chemotherapy, belonging to a class of drugs called alkylating agents. Cyclophosphamide has immunosuppressive qualities, which have induced remission in people with autoimmune conditions such as AIHA. Although cyclophosphamide has been used for decades to treat people with AIHA, its mechanisms are not clear.

How do I take it?
Cyclophosphamide can be administered as an intravenous infusion, taken orally, or injected into the muscle.

Side effects
Common side effects of cyclophosphamide include cough, fever, chills, low back pain, missed menstrual periods, and painful urination. With higher doses or long-term treatment, common side effects include blood in the urine, dizziness, fast heartbeat, joint pain, shortness of breath, swelling of the feet, and tiredness.

Rare but serious side effects of cyclophosphamide include the increased risk of infection and of cancer types, liver disease, and heart and lung toxicity. Contact your doctor if you experience frequent urination, sores in the mouth, sudden shortness of breath, unusual thirst, and yellowing of the eyes or skin.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Treatment Options for Primary Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia: A Short Comprehensive Review — Karger
https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/438731#...

Cyclophosphamide (Oral Route, Intravenous Route) — Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/cy...