Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)
Generic and brand names: melphalan, oral; Alkeran
This medicine is used to treat multiple myeloma, cancer of the ovaries, and other types of cancer. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. This medicine may be taken by mouth or given by injection.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Also tell your provider if you have recently had any kind of infection or if you are taking radiation therapy.
This medicine may make you sterile (unable to have children) whether you are a man or a woman. If you plan to have children someday, talk with your healthcare provider before you start treatment.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.
This is a very strong medicine. Only healthcare providers experienced with this drug should prescribe it. It should only be given in a clinic or hospital where you can be monitored closely. Shots of this medicine are given by your healthcare provider. Keep all appointments for shots.
If you have the tablets, take this medicine 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. This medicine works best on an empty stomach.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider's instructions for dosage changes. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
If miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, bloody or black stools, coughing blood, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, seizures.
If you are receiving injections and the medicine accidentally leaks out of the vein where it is injected, it can damage tissue. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have redness, pain, or swelling at the site of injection.
This medicine may increase your risk of certain cancers. Talk with your provider about this.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
While on this medicine, your healthcare provider may want you to drink extra fluids to help prevent kidney problems.
This medicine may make your mouth sore. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth.
Do not drink alcohol or take aspirin while receiving this medicine. It may increase the risk of bleeding. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising to your healthcare provider.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unusual bleeding or bruising, fever, chills, sore throat, yellowish skin or eyes, persistent cough, black tarry stools, severe nausea and vomiting, unusual lumps on your body, pain or swelling at the injection site.
Other: Sores in your mouth, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, joint pain, irregular menstrual periods.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine in the container it came in at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
