Patient's question:
Hello! Professor Pan, my daughter has been diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome and has been on hormone treatment for 3 weeks, but the effect has not been good. The doctor said she seems to be unresponsive to hormones. If the swelling does not subside in another week, she may need to be treated with cyclophosphamide, which is said to be very harmful. I don’t know what to do anymore. Please help me... Thank you. Child ageDoctor's answer:
Hello Side Effects1 Bone marrow suppression, mainly manifested as leukopenia.
2 Urinary tract symptoms are primarily due to chemical cystitis, such as frequent urination, urinary urgency, intense bladder sensation, hematuria, or even difficulty urinating. Increasing fluid intake and urine volume can help alleviate symptoms.
3 Digestive system symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, which can occur with intravenous or oral administration. Symptoms may appear 3–4 hours after a large intravenous dose.
4 Common skin symptoms include hair loss, but fine new hair may regrow after discontinuation of the medication.
5 Long-term use may lead to testicular atrophy and sperm deficiency in males, or menstrual irregularities, ovarian fibrosis, or teratogenesis in females. Pregnant women should use with caution.
6 Occasionally, it may affect liver function, causing jaundice and decreased prothrombin levels. Patients with impaired liver function should use with caution.
Although the side effects are significant, it cannot be avoided for the sake of the child's health! As long as you follow the doctor's advice and take the medication at the prescribed dosage, have regular follow-ups, there is generally no major issue! Wishing you good health.