Brand Names: Alkeran, Alkeran I.V.

Generic Name: melphalan (Pronunciation: MEL fa lan)

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

What is melphalan (Alkeran)?

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

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

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

Alkeran 2 mg

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What are the possible side effects of melphalan (Alkeran)?

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

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• missed menstrual periods;
• unusual lumps or masses;
• red skin rash, rapid pulse, pain, weight loss;
• breathing problems or a cough that won't go away; or
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, confusion and weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• temporary hair loss; or
• mild skin itching and rash.

In some cases, second cancers have been reported to occur during and after treatment with melphalan. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk and benefit in using this medication.

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)?

Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

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

Melphalan can cause serious side effects, including: decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, bloody or black stools, pale or yellowed skin, confusion or weakness); breathing problems; or liver damage (nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice [yellowing of the skin or eyes]). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects.

In some cases, second cancers have been reported to occur during and after treatment with melphalan. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk and benefit of this medication.