Medical advertising

Drugs

Alkeran Injection

Generic Name: Melphalan
Product Name: Alkeran Injection

Indication of Alkeran Injection:

Melphalan is used in the treatment of:

- Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
- Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia.
- Advanced ovarian adenocarcinoma.
- Breast cancer.
- Nephrotic syndrome.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Lupus nephritis.
- Immune-related ocular disease.
- Multiple myeloma.
- Polycythaemia vera.
- Malignant melanoma of the extremities.
- Soft tissue sarcoma
- Mobilisation of hemopoietic stem cells for subsequent infusion after high dose myeloablative or myelosuppressive chemotherapy.


^ top

Action of Alkeran Injection:

Melphalan acts by preventing replication of tumour cells by forming cross-linkages between DNA strands.



^ top

Dose Advice of Alkeran Injection:

Specialist protocols should be consulted

The following doses are recommended initial doses. Further courses and doses depend on the individual patient's response and side effects

Multiple myeloma:
150 micrograms/kg orally given in divided doses daily for 4-7 days.
Melphalan is given in combination with prednisolone 40-60 mg daily for 4 days.

High dose therapy:
100-200 mg/m 2 intravenously daily.
Melphalan is given in combination with autologous hemopoietic stem cell support.

Renal impairment:
In patients with moderate to severe renal impairment intravenous doses should be halved and reduction of oral doses should be considered.
High dose therapy should not be used in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment.

Pregnancy:
Melphalan can cause spontaneous abortion, foetal loss and birth defects and should be avoided during pregnancy. It should also be avoided during breastfeeding.


^ top

Schedule of Alkeran Injection:

S4

^ top

Common side effects of Alkeran Injection:

- Bone marrow suppression.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Allergic skin reactions.


^ top

Uncommon side effects of Alkeran Injection:

- Abdominal discomfort.
- Diarrhoea.
- Mouth ulceration.
- Hair loss.
- Shortness of breath.
- Pulmonary fibrosis.
- Skin ulceration at injection site.



^ top

Diseases treated by Alkeran Injection:


For further information talk to your doctor.


Article Tools:


E-mail E-mail Bookmark/Add to Favourites Print Print twitter Twitter facebook Facebook

Article Dates:

calendar icon Created: 22/7/2003 calendar icon Modified: 14/6/2007

Current Sponsors
Medical advertising
Current Sponsors
Sponsors Logos
Current Sponsors
Our site has been approved by the HealthInsite Editorial Board to be a HealthInsite information partner site PANDORA is a digital archive dedicated to the preservation of and long term access to Australian online electronic publications of national significance WAITTA Winner 2008 Online secretsFinalist priministeraward
Prime Minister's Award
secretsFinalist
Current Sponsors

Virtual Medical Centre

Please be aware that we do not give advice on your individual medical condition,
if you want advice please see your treating physician.

Information on this site must be discussed with your treating doctor.

Virtual Medical Centre © 2002 - 2009 | Privacy Policy Last updated 21 Nov 2009

For Banner Advertising
MediaSmart

Website and videos by
Titan Interactive, Website and Web Design Perth Australia

^ Back to Top