Melphalan flufenamide (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 10, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Pepaxto

Pharmacologic Class: Alkylating Agent

Chemical Class: Nitrogen Mustard

Uses for melphalan flufenamide

Melphalan flufenamide injection is used in combination with dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer) in patients whose cancer has come back and who have received at least 4 previous treatments (eg, a CD38-directed monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent) that did not work well.

Melphalan flufenamide belongs to the group of medicines called alkylating agents (cancer medicines). It works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body.

Melphalan flufenamide is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.

Before using melphalan flufenamide

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For melphalan flufenamide, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to melphalan flufenamide or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of melphalan flufenamide injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of melphalan flufenamide injection in the elderly.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of melphalan flufenamide. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anemia or
• Neutropenia (low number of white blood cells) or
• Thrombocytopenia (low number of platelets)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Infection—May decrease your ability to fight an infection.

Proper use of melphalan flufenamide

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you melphalan flufenamide in a hospital. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. Melphala...