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Melphalan

  • You will need frequent blood tests during melphalan therapy.
  • You should avoid live vaccines.
  • If you or your partner are taking melphalan you should use contraception to avoid pregnancy.
  • Mothers receiving melphalan should not breast-feed.

About melphalan

Type of medicine Cytotoxic
Used for Various types of cancer including multiple myeloma, advanced ovarian or breast cancer
Polycythaemia vera (increase in number of red cells)
Also called Alkeran
Available as Tablets
Injection

Melphalan works by stopping cancer cells from multiplying. It does this by binding to and damaging the DNA in the cancer cells. This stops the cells from growing and multiplying.

Before taking melphalan

Before taking melphalan make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you suffer from kidney problems.
  • If you are male and you and your partner are trying for a baby or intend to have children in the future.

How to take melphalan

  • Swallow melphalan whole (do not break or crush) half to one hour before food, with a glass of water.
  • If you are sick shortly after taking a dose, or you forget a dose, check with your doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again, or wait until the next dose is due.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • While you are taking melphalan, and for a while after you stop treatment, do not have any immunisations (vaccinations) without talking to your doctor first. Melphalan lowers the body's resistance and there is a chance that you may get an infection from a vaccine.
  • You must keep your regular appointments with the doctor or hospital so your progress can be checked. You will need to have regular blood tests during your treatment with melphalan.

Can melphalan cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Nausea, vomiting, mouth ulcers You may be able to buy an over-the-counter remedy; ask your pharmacist for advice
Itching, rash You may be able to buy an over-the-counter remedy; ask your pharmacist for advice
Raised temperature, cough, sore throat See your doctor as soon as possible
Hair loss This is not permanent- speak to your doctor if you are worried about it

In addition, if you notice any yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (signs of jaundice) or sudden wheeziness or tightness of the chest contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once.

How to store melphalan

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Melphalan tablets should be stored in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C and kept dry.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
1001		 DocRef:
dils2354		 Last Updated:
24 Aug 2007		 Date of Next Review:
23 Aug 2009		 Version:
22
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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