What is melphalan?
Melphalan is a cancer medication. Melphalan interferes with the growth of cancer cells and
slows their growth and spread in the body.
Melphalan is used to treat multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer), cancer of the ovary, and
breast cancer.
Melphalan may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking melphalan?
Before using melphalan, tell your doctor if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use melphalan,
or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby.
Do not
use melphalan if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during
treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.
This medication can affect fertility (your ability to have children), whether you are a man or a
woman.
It is not known whether melphalan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby.
Do not
take melphalan without telling your doctor if you are breast feeding a
baby.
How should I take melphalan?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Take the melphalan oral tablet with a large glass of water.
Melphalan injection is given through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other
healthcare provider will give you this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.
Tell your doctor right away if any of the melphalan injection gets on your skin or if you feel
pain, burning, or other skin irritation when the medicine is injected.
Melphalan is usually given for a few weeks at a time, followed by a 4-week period off the drug,
during which your blood is tested to see how your body responded to the medication. Your doctor will
determine how often you use melphalan and for how long. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Melphalan can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it
easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your
blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that
you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store melphalan tablets in the refrigerator and protect them from light.
If you store melphalan injection at home, keep it at room temperature and protect it from
heat, moisture, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of melphalan?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of melphalan.
Where can I get more information about melphalan?
Your pharmacist has information about melphalan written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of melphalan?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
missed menstrual periods;
-
unusual lumps or masses;
-
red skin rash, rapid pulse, pain, weight loss;
-
breathing problems or a cough that won't go away; or
-
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, confusion and
weakness.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
-
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
-
temporary hair loss; or
-
mild skin itching and rash.
In some cases, second cancers have been reported to occur during and after
treatment with melphalan. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk and benefit in using this
medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical
advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about melphalan?
Do not
use this medication if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the
unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during
treatment.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Melphalan can cause serious side effects, including: decreased bone marrow function and blood
problems (easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, bloody
or black stools, pale or yellowed skin, confusion or weakness); breathing problems; or liver damage
(nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice [yellowing
of the skin or eyes]). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects.
In some cases, second cancers have been reported to occur during and after treatment with
melphalan. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk and benefit of this medication.
What should I avoid while taking melphalan?
Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your
doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with melphalan, and avoid coming
into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus
could be passed on to you.
What other drugs will affect melphalan?
Before taking melphalan, tell your doctor if you are being treated with any other medicines that
weaken your immune system, such as:
-
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
-
radiation therapy;
-
steroids (prednisone and others); or
-
another chemotherapy medicine.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
melphalan. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of melphalan?