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Rituxan vs. Cytoxan

Are Rituxan and Cytoxan the Same Thing?

Rituxan (rituximab) and Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) are cancer medications.

Rituxan is used in combination with other cancer medicines to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Rituxan is also used in combination with another drug called methotrexate to treat symptoms of adult rheumatoid arthritis.

Cytoxan is used to treat several types of cancer. Cytoxan is also used to treat certain cases of nephrotic syndrome (kidney disease) in children.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Rituxan?

Common side effects of Rituxan include:

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Rituxan including:

  • increased thirst or urination,
  • swelling of the hands or feet, or
  • tingling of the hands or feet.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Cytoxan?

Common side effects of Cytoxan include:

  • nausea or vomiting (may be severe),
  • loss of appetite,
  • stomach pain or upset,
  • diarrhea,
  • temporary hair loss,
  • a wound that will not heal,
  • missed menstrual periods,
  • changes in skin color (darkening), or
  • changes in nails.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Cytoxan including:

  • pink/bloody urine,
  • unusual decrease in the amount of urine,
  • mouth sores,
  • unusual tiredness or weakness,
  • joint pain, or
  • easy bruising or bleeding.

What is Rituxan?

Rituxan (rituximab) is a cancer medication used in combination with other cancer medicines to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Rituxan is also used in combination with another drug called methotrexate to treat symptoms of adult rheumatoid arthritis.

What is Cytoxan?

Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) is a cancer (chemotherapy) medication used to treat several types of cancer. Cytoxan is also used to treat certain cases of nephrotic syndrome (kidney disease) in children.

What Drugs Interact With Rituxan?

Rituxan may interact with cisplatin, adalimumab, auranofin, azathioprine, cyclosporine, etanercept, infliximab, leflunomide, minocycline, sulfasalazine, blood pressure medications, or medication to treat malaria.

What Drugs Interact With Cytoxan?

Cytoxan may interact with phenobarbital, allopurinol, digoxin, warfarin, thiazide diuretics (water pills), other chemotherapy medicines, or "live" vaccines.

How Should Rituxan Be Taken?

Rituxan is administered under a physician's supervision. The dose of Rituxan varies depending on the disorder being treated and the number of infusions (doses) needed.

How Should Cytoxan Be Taken?

In treatment of cancer, the initial course of Cytoxan is usually of 40 to 50 mg/kg given intravenously (IV) in divided doses over a period of 2 to 5 days. Other intravenous regimens include 10 to 15 mg/kg given every 7 to 10 days or 3 to 5 mg/kg twice weekly. Oral Cytoxan dosing is usually in the range of 1 to 5 mg/kg/day for both initial and maintenance dosing. For non-malignant disease an oral dose of 2.5 to 3 mg/kg daily for a period of 60 to 90 days is recommended. Cytoxan may interact with phenobarbital, allopurinol, digoxin, warfarin, thiazide diuretics (water pills), other chemotherapy medicines, or "live" vaccines. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Cytoxan is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may cause harm to a fetus. Women of childbearing age and men should use birth control during treatment and for some period afterwards. This drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breastfeeding while using this drug is not recommended.

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