Alkeran

Alkeran

     * Generic Name: melphalan
     * Brand Name: Alkeran


     * What is melphalan (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?
     * What are the possible side effects of melphalan (Alkeran,
       Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       melphalan (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using
       melphalan (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?
     * How is melphalan given (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?
     * What should I avoid while taking melphalan (Alkeran, Alkeran
       I.V., Evomela)?
     * What other drugs will affect melphalan (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V.,
       Evomela)?
     * Where can I get more information (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V.,
       Evomela)?

What is melphalan (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?

   Melphalan is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and
   spread of cancer cells in the body.

   Melphalan is used to treat multiple myeloma (a type of blood
   cancer) and cancer of the ovary.

   Melphalan treats only the symptoms of ovarian cancer or multiple
   myeloma, but does not treat the cancer itself.

   Melphalan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of melphalan (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V.,
Evomela)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * bone marrow suppression--sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever,
       chills, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, red or pink
       urine, painful mouth sores, cough, trouble breathing, feeling
       light-headed, rapid heart rate;
     * inflammation of your blood vessels--numbness or tingling, red skin
       rash, unusual lumps or masses, fever, weight loss, muscle or
       joint pain, tired feeling, unusual bleeding; or
     * liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of
       appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
       (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

   Common side effects may include:
     * missed menstrual periods;
     * weakness; or
     * temporary hair loss.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about melphalan
(Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?

   Melphalan can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections
   and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more
   easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or
   signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

   Alkeran Patient Information including How Should I Take
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using melphalan
(Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?

   You should not use melphalan if you are allergic to it, or if prior
   treatment with this medication was unsuccessful in controlling your
   disease.

   To make sure melphalan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
     * a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain
       medicine);
     * liver disease;
     * kidney disease; or
     * a history of chemotherapy or radiation.

   Using melphalan may increase your risk of developing other types of
   cancer, such as leukemia. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.

   Do not use melphalan if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn
   baby. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy during your
   treatment with melphalan. Follow your doctor's instructions about how
   long to prevent pregnancy after your treatment ends.

   This medication may affect fertility (your ability to have children),
   whether you are a man or a woman.

   It is not known whether melphalan passes into breast milk or if it
   could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this
   medicine.

How is melphalan given (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
   occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do
   not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
   recommended.

   Oral melphalan is a tablet you take by mouth. Injectable melphalan is
   injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you
   this injection.

   Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have
   conditions that would prevent you from safely using melphalan.

   Melphalan can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections
   and help your blood to clot. This can make it easier for you to bleed
   from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your
   blood may need to be tested often.

   Store melphalan tablets in the refrigerator and protect them from
   light.

   Alkeran Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Understanding Cancer: Metastasis, Stages of Cancer, Pictures

   Cancer 101 Pictures Slideshow
   Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

   Breast Cancer Slideshow
   Skin Cancer Symptoms, Types, Images

   Skin Cancer Slideshow

What happens if I miss a dose (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

   Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your
   melphalan injection.

What happens if I overdose (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking melphalan (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?

   Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your
   doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

   Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use
   extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.

   Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using melphalan. The vaccine may
   not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from
   disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella
   (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella
   (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu
   (influenza) vaccine.

   This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit).
   Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body
   fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers.
   Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and
   linens separately from other laundry.

What other drugs will affect melphalan (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?

   Other drugs may interact with melphalan, including prescription and
   over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of
   your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any
   medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information (Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about melphalan.
     __________________________________________________________________

   Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
   children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
   medication only for the indication prescribed.
   Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by
   Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
   but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
   herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
   use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
   therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United
   States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
   Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
   recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
   resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
   for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
   supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill,
   knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a
   warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be
   construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe,
   effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume
   any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the
   aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is
   not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions,
   warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If
   you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
   doctor, nurse or pharmacist.