Oral versus intravenous administration of cyclophosphamide: a case report

BACKGROUND Cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent, has been used as an immunosuppressant in the treatment of various autoimmune disorders and malignancies. It is highly capable of reducing T and B lymphocytes. CASE PRESENTATION Regular blood tests are important to detect bone marrow suppression. The risk of opportunistic infection such as pneumonia secondary to pneumocystic carinii increases drastically with lymphopaenia. Hence, prophylactic co-trimoxazole is frequently prescribed as long as patients are on cyclophosphamide. CONCLUSION The benefits and toxicity risks of intravenous versus oral administration of cyclophosphamide are described in this article.