About melphalan
Alkylating chemotherapy medicine
Used for
- Treats multiple myeloma.
- Treats some ovarian cancers.
- Used in conditioning before stem-cell transplantation.
Usual adult dose
Varies greatly by cancer and treatment plan; prescribed in specialist-supervised cycles.
Common side effects
- Low blood-cell counts and infection risk.
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Mouth sores.
- Hair loss or infertility.
Important warnings
- Can cause severe bone-marrow suppression and serious infections.
- May increase risk of secondary cancers.
- Requires blood-count monitoring and specialist supervision.
- Tablets are hazardous; avoid contact with broken tablets.
Pregnancy
Can harm an unborn baby. Pregnancy should be avoided during treatment and for the period specified by the oncology team.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment.
Interactions
- Other medicines that suppress bone marrow can increase blood problems.
- Nalidixic acid may increase intestinal injury, especially in children.
- Live vaccines may cause infection in people with weakened immunity.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.