Melphalan (By injection)
MEL-fa-lan
Treats symptoms of plasma cell cancer (multiple myeloma).
Drug classes
Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Melphalan injection is used to treat multiple myeloma, which is a cancer in the bone marrow. .
Melphalan belongs to the group of medicines called alkylating agents. It works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by melphalan, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects may not be serious, but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.
Before you begin treatment with melphalan, you and your doctor should talk about the benefits this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, melphalan is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Retinoblastoma (cancer of the retina in the eye).
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
It usually takes at least 15 minutes to receive one dose of this medicine. You will then need to wait 2 to 4 weeks before receiving the next dose.
Do not get this medicine in your eyes, mouth, or nose or on your skin. Tell your caregiver right away if this happens.
This medicine may work slowly over several months. To get the most benefit, keep using it for as long as your doctor tells you to.
You may also receive medicines to help prevent nausea and vomiting.
If a dose is missed:
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cyclosporine (such as Gengraf®, Neoral®, or Sandimmune®), cisplatin (Platinol®), carmustine (BiCNU®), or nalidixic acid (Neggram®).
Talk to your doctor before getting any vaccine while you are receiving this medicine. Vaccines may not work as well, or they could make you ill while you are using this medicine. Avoid live vaccines, such as smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and the nasal flu vaccine.
Tell your doctor if you have ever been treated with radiation or other cancer medicines.
When Not To Use
You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to melphalan or if you are pregnant. Make sure your doctor knows if you have used this medicine before.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. This medicine might make a woman stop having menstrual periods temporarily.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease.
This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Some people using this medicine have developed a second form of cancer, even years after stopping the medicine. It is not known if this medicine caused the cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Cancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Bloody or black, tarry stools.
Fast heartbeat.
Lightheadedness or fainting.
New lumps or growths under your skin.
Pain, swelling, blisters, or sores where the IV needle is placed.
Severe nausea and vomiting, seizure, or severe muscle stiffness.
Skin rash.
Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.
Trouble breathing.
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Swollen, red, tender places on your skin.
Weight loss.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Alkeran, Alkeran IV, Novaplus Melphalan Hydrochloride, PremierPro Rx melphalan HCl
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
