Melphalan
About Melphalan
Melphalan is a prescription medication used to treat certain serious conditions, primarily multiple myeloma (a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow) and advanced ovarian cancer. By targeting rapidly dividing cells, this medication helps control the spread of these cancers and manage disease symptoms.
You should take this medication exactly as prescribed, maintaining a consistent schedule to keep steady levels of the medicine in your body. It is important to take Melphalan on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, as food can interfere with how well your body absorbs it. Staying well-hydrated throughout your treatment is also highly recommended to support your kidney function.
While taking Melphalan, you may experience common side effects like nausea, vomiting, or temporary hair thinning. However, you must consult your doctor immediately if you notice serious signs like a fever, sore throat, or unusual bleeding, which can indicate more severe reactions.
Before starting therapy, you must tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, a weakened immune system, or poor bone marrow function. Do not take this if you have had a severe allergic reaction to this medication in the past.
This medicine can interact with other prescription drugs, certain vaccines, and alcohol, so a complete review of your current medications is essential. Additionally, pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take Melphalan due to potential harm to the baby, and elderly patients may require regular monitoring. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you fall into any of these groups.
Uses of Melphalan
Medicinal Benefits
Melphalan helps treat certain types of cancer by slowing the growth and spread of cancer cells. When used as prescribed, it helps control disease progression, relieve cancer-related symptoms, and offers the convenience of oral treatment.
- Helps Control Cancer Growth: By slowing the multiplication of cancer cells, this medicine helps manage conditions such as multiple myeloma and advanced ovarian cancer, reducing the progression and spread of the disease.
- Improves Quality of Life: Effective disease control may help reduce cancer-related symptoms such as bone pain, lower the risk of fractures in patients with bone involvement, and improve physical mobility and daily comfort.
- Convenient Oral Treatment: As an oral tablet, this medicine can be taken at home as directed by your healthcare provider, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits associated with intravenous chemotherapy while supporting consistent long-term treatment.
Directions for Use
- Melphalan should be taken on an empty stomach, without food to ensure optimal absorption or as directed by the doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Melphalan as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew or crush Melphalan.
Storage
Side Effects of Melphalan
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea or mild stomach discomfort
- Temporary hair thinning or hair loss
- Mouth sores or throat irritation
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Signs of infection, such as a high fever, chills, sore throat, or body aches
- Unusual bleeding, easy bruising, or blood in your urine or stools
- Extreme tiredness, pale skin, or shortness of breath
- Allergic reactions like skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, and tongue
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin, which could point to liver damage
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Handle tablets with care: Do not break or crush the tablets. If a tablet is accidentally broken or damaged, avoid touching it directly or inhaling any powder.
- Keep up with your blood tests: Your doctor will require frequent blood tests to monitor your kidney function and blood cell counts. Never skip these appointments.
- Avoid live vaccines: While taking this medicine, your immune system will be weakened. Talk to your doctor before receiving any immunisations, and avoid live vaccines entirely.
- Use reliable birth control: Both men and women should use highly effective birth control during treatment and for a specified time after stopping to prevent pregnancy.
- Limit contact with sick individuals: Stay away from people who have active infections, colds, or the flu, as your body will find it much harder to fight off germs.
Drug Interactions
- Live Vaccines: Do not receive live vaccines while taking Melphalan, as this medicine can weaken your immune system and increase the risk of developing serious, potentially life-threatening infections. Your doctor will advise you on the appropriate timing of vaccinations.
- Kidney-Damaging Medicines: Taking Melphalan together with medicines that can affect kidney function, such as cyclosporine or certain antibiotics, may increase the risk of kidney damage and other serious side effects. Your doctor may monitor your kidney function and adjust your treatment if necessary.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Melphalan.
Pregnancy
cautionMelphalan should not be used during pregnancy. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. You or your partner must use a reliable form of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking these medications.
Breast Feeding
cautionMelphalan should not be used in breastfeeding. Discuss with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionIt is unknown whether Melphalan alters the ability to drive, so do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any symptoms affecting your ability to concentrate and react.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Melphalan. Your doctor may titrate the dose if required based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking Melphalan. Your doctor may titrate the dose if required based on your condition.
Children
cautionLimited information is available regarding the usage of Melphalan in children, so please consult a doctor if you have any concerns.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay very well hydrated: Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily to help your kidneys flush out the waste products of cellular breakdown.
- Avoid raw or undercooked foods: Since Melphalan lowers your white blood cell count, you are at a higher risk of infection. Stick to thoroughly cooked meals and wash fruits and vegetables carefully.
- Eat small, frequent meals: If you experience nausea, eating smaller portions throughout the day can keep your stomach settled better than three large meals.
- Use an extra-soft toothbrush: To protect your gums from bleeding and prevent painful mouth sores, use an extra-soft toothbrush and avoid harsh mouthwashes containing alcohol.
Special Advise
- When you take Melphalan, your doctor will suggest regular blood tests to monitor the count of blood cells.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cancer: Cancer is a genetic change in which the body's cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. There are two types of cancer: benign (localized) and metastatic (spread to the whole body). Types of cancer include blood, lung, breast, etc. Cancer growth can be prevented by chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell therapy.
Multiple myeloma: Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer affecting white blood cells called plasma cells. These cells collect in the bone marrow and divide uncontrollably, leading to kidney and bone damage. Symptoms include bone pain, loss of appetite, fever, and frequent infections. Generally, multiple myeloma cannot be cured, but the signs and symptoms can be reduced greatly or disappear after a period of time.
Ovarian cancer: Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries (one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed).
Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells. Breast cancer may form in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. The tumour cells invade other healthy breast cells and can travel to lymph nodes, a primary pathway for the cancer cells to move to other parts of the body.
FAQs
The duration of treatment depends on your specific condition, blood test results, and how well your cancer responds to therapy. Take Melphalan exactly as prescribed and do not stop taking it on your own, even if you feel better, unless your doctor tells you to. If you have difficulty taking the medicine or experience troublesome side effects, talk to your doctor.
No, you should take Melphalan on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Food can decrease how much of the medicine your body absorbs. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you struggle with nausea on an empty stomach.
Yes, Melphalan tablets must be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze them, and keep them away from light. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need advice on transporting your medicine safely.
No, you must swallow the tablets whole. Crushing or breaking them can release harmful dust that may irritate your skin or lungs. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Some people may experience temporary hair thinning or loss while taking Melphalan, though it is usually less severe than with intravenous chemotherapy. Your hair will typically grow back after treatment ends. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about hair loss.
It is highly recommended to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Melphalan, as alcohol can worsen nausea, increase the risk of dehydration, and strain your liver. Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you.
This medicine can lower your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Regular blood tests allow your doctor to monitor these levels closely and adjust your dose to keep you safe from severe infections or bleeding. Talk to your doctor about your test results.
No, Melphalan can cause severe birth defects or harm an unborn baby. You must use effective birth control during treatment and for a specified period afterwards as recommended by your healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor immediately if you suspect a pregnancy.
Author Details
