What is Melphalan?

Melphalan is an anti-cancer medicine that helps to improve quality of life for people with ovarian cancer or multiple myeloma.

It is a convenient pill that is taken by mouth. For people with multiple myeloma, this drug can be given as an infusion into vein.

This medicine can also raise your risk of severe infections and bleeding, so doctor might check your blood frequently.

To attain maximum benefits from this chemotherapy medication, take it exactly in same way as directed by a doctor.

You can find this medicine in market under brand name Alkeran.

Also, you can save on melphalan cost by ordering it from a licensed online pharmacy.

One can buy Melphan tablets from a licensed drugstore only after a doctor’s prescription.

Uses of Melphalan

Doctors prescribe this medicine for:

• Treatment of multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer

How does Melphalan work?

Melphalan is an anti-cancer medicine that works by damaging genetic material like DNA and RNA of cancer cells.

This further helps in stopping growth and multiplication of cancer cells.

How to take Melphalan?

Before you start treatment with Melphalan, it is necessary to read patient information leaflet carefully.

If there is any confusion about this medicine or its dosage then make sure you discuss it with doctor once.

This medicine should be taken by mouth as recommended by a doctor, mainly once a day.

To prevent side effects of Melphalan, doctors advise drinking plenty of fluids regularly.

It is advised to take this medication on an empty stomach almost 1 hour before or 2 hours after having food. Avoid taking it with food.

Based on your medical condition, age, and body’s response to treatment, doctor will decide dosage & treatment of medicine.

Make sure you carefully follow your doctor’s directions for taking Melphalan tablets.

Do not increase your dose or take this medicine too often than prescribed by a doctor.

By increasing the dose, your condition will not improve quickly, instead increasing risk of severe side effects.

This drug will take several months to show you proper benefits.

As this medicine might be absorbed through skin & lungs and can harm an unborn baby, pregnant women should not handle Melphalan.

• Missed dose

It is necessary to get each dose of Melphalan exactly in same way as scheduled.

In case, you miss a dose then ask doctor right away for a new dosing schedule of Alkeran tablets.

Never try to double the dose of Melphalan just to catch up on missed doses.

• Overdose

In case, you overdosed and experience severe symptoms like trouble breathing or passing out then contact a doctor immediately.

Precautions and warnings for Melphalan

Before taking Melphalan, inform your doctor if you are allergic to it, or to Chlorambucil, or have any other allergies.

This medicine might contain some inactive ingredients which can cause you allergic reactions or other problems.

It is advised to let doctor know about your medical history before starting treatment with this medicine, especially for:

• Radiation treatment
• Blood problems or bleeding
• Kidney disorders
• Liver diseases

Melphalan tablets might make you more likely to get infections or make current infections worse.

Stay away from people who have an infection that can easily spread like flu, chickenpox, or measles.

Before undergoing any vaccinations or immunizations, let doctor know about taking Melphalan tablets.

Also, avoid coming in contact with people who have recently received live vaccines like flu vaccine.

Inform doctor right away, if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not get pregnant during treatment with Alkeran.

This medicine can harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, let doctor know and discuss all risks and benefits.

It is unknown whether this medicine passes into breast milk or not.

Due to possible risks to infants, breastfeeding is not suggested when using this medicine. Consult a doctor before breastfeeding.

Though Melphalan is used for treating cancer, but it can rarely increase risk of developing other cancers.

Also, this medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood cells, which decreases ability to fight infections & increases risk of anemia.

Taking Melphalan during pregnancy might increase risk of birth defects. It can be hard for men & women to have a child after treatment.

Never share your medicine with another person, even if he/she suffers from symptoms like yours.

Side effects of Melphalan

Diarrhea, nausea, lip/mouth sores, vomiting, and loss of appetite might occur during initial days of treatment.

In some cases, doctors can also prescribe medicines to prevent or relieve nausea & vomiting.

Eating small meals, not eating before treatment or controlling activity might help reduce some side effects. 

Some common side effects of Melphalan:

• Low white blood cell counts
• Serious ongoing nausea
• Unusual lumps
• Missed menstrual periods
• Easy bruising
• Inflammation of blood vessels
• Low potassium levels
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Tiredness

Get emergency medical help, if any of your side effects persist or become worse with time.

Interactions

Drug interactions might change how your medicines work or increase risk of severe side effects.

Without a doctor’s approval, do not start, stop, or change dosage of any medicines.

Make a list of all products you take and share with doctor including herbal supplements and prescription/non-prescription drugs.

To avoid drug interactions, you must not take Melphalan with following medicines:

• Cyclosporine
• Carmustine
• Cisplatin

Storage

It is advised to store Melphalan at room temperature away from moisture and direct sunlight.

Frequently asked questions about Melphalan (FAQs)

• How can I lower my risk of developing an infection when taking Melphalan?

There are several ways that can lower your chance of developing an infection when taking a Melphalan tablet.

One simple way is to wash your hands frequently. Avoid going to crowded places and staying around people who are sick.

You must avoid food-borne illnesses by properly washing raw fruits and vegetables before you eat or cook them.

Remember during your treatment with Melphalan, blood cell counts lower, immune system is weakened, increasing your chance of developing an infection.

• How long do I need to take Alkeran tablet?

You must take this medicine exactly in same way as directed by a doctor. How long you will take Alkeran is going to depend upon several factors.

These factors include how well medicine is working to treat multiple myeloma or ovarian cancer and how well you are able to tolerate its side effects.

• I have kidney disorders, is it safe to take Melphalan?

You might have a higher risk of developing side effects from Melphalan if you suffer from kidney disorders, mainly when they are serious.

Also, your body can have a hard time getting rid of Alkeran via urine. This further can cause higher levels of medicine in body and cause toxicity.

• Does Melphalan cause your hair loss?

Hair loss is not a common side effect of Melphalan when it is used for palliative treatment of ovarian cancer or myeloma.

However, there are some people who have reported hair loss when taking Melphalan tablets.

In case, you are concerned about hair loss with Melphalan or suffer from side effects during treatment then talk to a doctor.

Doctors might recommend ways to manage hair loss from anticancer treatment.