Melpha

by Pharmedic

Active ingredient: Melphalan

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About Melphalan

Cytostatic

Uses

Multiple myeloma, advanced ovarian adenocarcinoma.

How to take it

Dose should always be adjusted to patient response and weekly blood counts. ORAL: Adults: Multiple myeloma: 6 mg/day initially adjusted as indicated or 0.15 mg/kg/day for 7 days or 0.25 mg/kg/day for 4 days; repeat at 4 to 6 wk intervals. Ovarian carcinoma: 0.2 mg/kg/day for 5 days; repeat at 4 to 5 wk. Children: 4-20 mg/m²/day for 1-21 days. INFUSION: IV infusion administered as a single dose over 15-20 min. Adults: Central line IV bolus dose of 17-200 mg/m² have been infused over 2-20 min. Peripheral line IV bolus dose of 2-23 mg/m² have been infused over 1-4 min. IV: Due to limited stability, complete administration of IV dose should occur within 60 min of reconstitution. IV infusion: IV…

Side effects

Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, irreversible bone marrow failure, alopecia, GI upset, suppression of ovarian function leading to amenorrhoea in many women.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Positive evidence of risk: Use only when no safer alternative exists for a serious problem. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, severe bone marrow suppression. Precautions: Melphalan is mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic; produces amenorrhoea. Use with caution in patients with bone marrow suppression, impaired renal function or who have received prior chemotherapy. Monitor blood counts; interrupt treatment if abnormally large fall in leucocyte or platelet counts.

Advice

Take oral forms atleast 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Contact prescriber if there is difficulty or pain on urination, unusual fatigue, chest pain, palpitations, difficulty in breathing, pain, redness, unusual bruising or bleeding. Avoid alcohol during therapy. Take small, frequent meals to maintain good nutritional status. Avoid highly crowded places to prevent infection. Avoid sharp knives, scissors and use soft toothbrush, cotton swabs to prevent bruising or bleeding.

Full information on Melphalan →

Interactions with Melphalan

Cyclosporin, cimetidine and H2 antagonists, live vaccines, nalidixic acid.

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Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

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