Friday, May 1, 2020

Melphalan Oral : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions

Why should I prescribe this medicine?

Melphalan is used to treat multiple myeloma (a type of bone marrow cancer). Melphalan is also used to treat certain types of ovarian cancer (cancer starts with the female reproductive organs that form eggs). Melphalan belongs to a class of drugs called alkylating agents. It works by preventing or slowing the growth of cancer cells in the body.




How to use this medicine?

Melphalan can be taken orally as a tablet. It is usually taken once per abdomen. The length of treatment depends on the type of medicine you are taking, how well your body responds to the medicine, and the type of cancer you have. Take melphalan at about the same time every day. Follow the instructions on the prescription label carefully and ask the doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Take Melphalan exactly as directed. Do not take it more or less, and do not take excessive doses.

Before taking melphalan,


  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to melphalan, any other medicines or any ingredient in melphalan tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of ingredients.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbs you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: Carmustine (BICNU, BCNU), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Cisplatin (Platinol AQ), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral) or Interferon alpha (Intron A, Infergen, Alferon N).
  • Tell your doctor if you have taken melphalan before, but your cancer has not responded to the drug. Your doctor may tell you not to take melphalan.
  • Tell your doctor if you have recently received radiation therapy or other chemotherapy, or if you have or have had kidney disease.
  • Do not get any vaccines without talking to your doctor.

What special dietary guidelines should I follow?

Unless your doctor instructs otherwise, please continue to eat normally.

What if I forget to take the medicine?

Melphalan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if these symptoms are serious or not gone:


  • nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite or weight loss
  • Mouth and sore throat
  • Missed period (girls and women)
  • Pain in joints, muscles or back

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the above symptoms or the symptoms listed in the "Important Warning" section, please call your doctor immediately:

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medicine?

Keep this medicine in the container it comes in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it in the refrigerator away from light.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
  • Vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • Mouth and sore throat
  • Black, tar or bloody stools
  • Bloody vomit or coffee-like vomit
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding
  • Sore throat, cough, fever or other signs of infection

What other information should I know?

Don't let anyone take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions about supplementing prescriptions.

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