Alkeran Injection

Drugs

Generic Name: Melphalan
Product Name: Alkeran Injection

Indication of Alkeran Injection
Action of Alkeran Injection
Dose Advice of Alkeran Injection
Schedule of Alkeran Injection
Common side effects of Alkeran Injection
Uncommon side effects of 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.

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Action of Alkeran Injection:

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

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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.

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Schedule of Alkeran Injection:

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Common side effects of Alkeran Injection:

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

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Uncommon side effects of Alkeran Injection:

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

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