Melphalan flufenamide
Generic name: melphalan flufenamide [ MEL-fa-lan-floo-FEN-a-mide ]
Brand name: Pepaxto
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (20 mg)
Drug class:Alkylating agents
What is melphalan flufenamide?
Melphalan flufenamide is used together with dexamethasone (a steroid medicine) to treat adults with multiple myeloma.
Melphalan flufenamide is given after at least four other cancer treatments did not work or have stopped working.
Melphalan flufenamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Melphalan flufenamide can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or new signs of infection (fever, chills, cough, burning when you urinate).
Before taking this medicine
You should not be treated with melphalan flufenamide if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have any type of infection.
Using melphalan flufenamide may increase your risk of developing other cancers, such as leukemia. Ask your doctor about this risk.
You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.
Melphalan flufenamide can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using melphalan flufenamide.
If you are a woman, do not use melphalan flufenamide if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.
Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using melphalan flufenamide.
Pregnancy may be less likely to occur while the mother or the father is using this medicine. Both men and women should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because the medicine can harm an unborn baby.
Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 1 week after your last dose.
How is melphalan flufenamide given?
Melphalan flufenamide is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
This medicine is given in a 28-day treatment cycle. You will receive melphalan flufenamide only on the first day of each cycle. Melphalan flufenamide must be given slowly, and the infusion can take about 30 minutes to complete.
Dexamethasone is either taken by mouth or given as an injection given by your healthcare professional. Usually, the dexamethasone is used every 7 days of each treatment cycle.
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