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What is Melphalan
MelphalanThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryMelphalan is an antineoplastic drug that is used to treat certain types of cancer. It is composed of the levo isomer, racemic mixture, and dextro isomer. This drug is toxic to bone marrow, but does not cause much damage to other tissues. It is also considered a potential carcinogen.
Alkeranis the brand name
Melphalan Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Alkeran
Melphalan
1984
34
Effectiveness
How Melphalan Affects PatientsMelphalan is an anti-cancer medication that belongs to a group of drugs called alkylating agents. These drugs work by changing the structure of DNA strands and making it impossible for the cells to replicate. They also add substances to molecules which prevents them from being used correctly. Alkylating agents can cause cell death and stop tumor growth, but they affect cells regardless of what stage of the cell cycle they are in.
How Melphalan works in the bodyMelphalan damages DNA by attaching to individual DNA strands and preventing them from separating. It may also cause mutations in the DNA, leading to errors in replication or transcription. The damage is caused when repair enzymes try to correct the errors that have been introduced by melphalan.
When to interrupt dosage
The prescribed dosage of Melphalan is contingent upon the established condition, including Multiple Myeloma, Stem cell transplant and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. The quantity of dosage is contingent upon the mode of delivery listed in the table below.Condition
Dosage
Administration
conditioning regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation therapy
, 5.0 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 5.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg
, Kit, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Kit - Intravenous, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution, Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intravenous
Bone Marrow Transplant
, 5.0 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 5.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg
, Kit, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Kit - Intravenous, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution, Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intravenous
Multiple Myeloma
, 5.0 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 5.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg
, Kit, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Kit - Intravenous, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution, Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intravenous
Warnings
Melphalan has a single contraindication, and combining it with the conditions listed in the table below should be avoided.Melphalan ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
prior resistance to drug
Do Not Combine
Common Melphalan Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Melphalan is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Melphalan is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abatacept
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Melphalan is combined with Abatacept.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Melphalan is combined with Abetimus.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Melphalan is combined with Acteoside.
Melphalan Toxicity & Overdose RiskOverdosing on Mitomycin C can lead to vomiting, sores in the mouth, diarrhea, and internal bleeding. The most common side effect is a decrease in bone marrow activity. The toxic dose in rats has been measured at 11.2mg/kg when taken orally.
Melphalan Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Melphalan?
120 active clinical trials are presently exploring the potential of Melphalan for Bone Marrow Transplantation, Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and conditioning regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation therapy.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
conditioning regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation therapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Multiple Myeloma
12 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1
Bone Marrow Transplant
23 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 2, Early Phase 1, Phase 1
Melphalan Reviews: What are patients saying about Melphalan?
5Patient Review
10/17/2007 I began this treatment on 5/27/07 and my CA number (a measure of the cancer cells in my body) went from 2000 to 48.5 in just a few months. My doctor and NP were both very impressed with the results. I would definitely recommend this treatment to others facing similar situations.
5Patient Review
1/2/2021 This drug has been working really well for my father. He's 75 years old and we tried two other treatments before this one, but neither of them worked as well as this one has.
5Patient Review
1/2/2021 This was the third treatment my father tried, and it finally worked. He's 75 years old.
5Patient Review
10/17/2007 I started this drug on 5/27/07 and my CA number went down from 2000 to 48.5 in just a few months. This is an inexpensive and easy treatment that can be done at home, but you will need to get your blood levels checked regularly. I feel great right now, but I know that the cancer may come back in the future.
3.3Patient Review
6/4/2009 I started feeling sick two days after the treatment, and now it's been four days. I really don't like this feeling.
3.3Patient Review
6/4/2009 I started feeling ill a couple days after taking this medication, and now four days later I'm feeling even worse. Not a fan.
1Patient Review
11/21/2010 After taking this drug for four days as directed, I had to stop for six weeks due to the severity of the side effects. These included (but were not limited to) weight loss, back and stomach pain, decreased appetite, and general weakness. This is my second round of the medication, and it was even worse than the first time.
1Patient Review
11/21/2010 I took the drug for four days as instructed, then stopped taking it for six weeks. After starting up again, I experienced nearly all of the listed side effects while on the drug. These effects started immediately upon taking the medication and only got worse from there. I was unable to function normally by the fourth week; I was weak, had no appetite, and lost 12 pounds. This is my second round with this treatment, and it was much worse than the first time.
Patient Q&A Section about melphalan
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Does melphalan cause hair loss?
"Melphalan treatment may cause hair loss. You may see thinning or loss of hair within two to four weeks of taking the first dose of Melphalan. Loss of hair may happen on eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic areas."
Answered by AI
What type of chemotherapy is melphalan?
"Melphalan is a chemotherapy drug used to treat multiple myeloma. It works by inhibiting DNA and RNA synthesis, causing the death of both dividing and non-dividing tumor cells. It has been used to treat MM since the 1960s."
Answered by AI
Is melphalan a chemotherapy?
"Melphalan is a chemotherapy treatment that is used to treat a number of different cancer types. It can also be used as a part of a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. Melphalan is also known as Alkeran."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of melphalan?
"Certain cancer treatments can cause bone marrow depression, which may lead to a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This can cause a variety of symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, soreness of the mouth and throat, hair loss, and loose bowel movements."
Answered by AI