Alkeran ratings & reviews

Alkeran contains the active ingredient melphalan hydrochloride in its injection form. It belongs to the drug class of bifunctional alkylating agents and is intended for intravenous administration. Each vial contains 50 mg of melphalan and 20 mg of povidone, and the solution is reconstituted with sodium citrate, propylene glycol, ethanol, and Water for Injection. Alkeran is designed to act against certain human neoplastic diseases.

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
• Painful swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin, blisters or sores at the infusion site
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Pain, redness, or swelling with sores inside the mouth or throat
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Infection
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low blood cell levels, such as low white cells, platelets, or red blood cells
• Prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• An unusual or allergic reaction to melphalan, other chemotherapy, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with the following:

• Live vaccines

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Carmustine
• Cisplatin
• Cyclosporine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication. You may need blood work while taking this medication.

Talk to your care team about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancers if you take this medication.

Talk to your care team if you or your partner may be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy and for 6 months after the last dose. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 6 months after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you.

If your partner can get pregnant, use a condom during sex while taking this medication and for 3 months after the last dose.

Do not breastfeed while taking this medication and for 1 week after the last dose.

This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

This medicine can cause severe, life-threatening bleeding.

This medication can cause serious and life-threatening allergic reactions. These reactions may occur with your first dose or at any time during treatment. Your care team will watch you closely. Tell your care team right away if you have a skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat, or feel faint or lightheaded.

There have been reports of leukemia in people who got this medicine.

This medicine can lower your body’s ability to fight infections. You may get more infections while taking this medicine. Any infection you get could become serious and even deadly.

This medicine can lower blood counts, like white blood cells and platelets. Your healthcare provider will check your blood counts during your treatment.