Melphalan (oral/injection)

Generic name: melphalan (oral/injection) [ MEL-fa-lan ]
Brand names: Alkeran, Alkeran I.V., Evomela
Dosage forms: intravenous powder for injection (50 mg); oral tablet (2 mg)
Drug class:Alkylating agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on May 4, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is melphalan?

Melphalan is used as a "palliative" treatment to relieve symptoms of multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer) or a certain type of ovarian cancer.

Melphalan injection is used as a "conditioning" treatment for multiple myeloma before you receive a stem cell transplant.

Melphalan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

While using melphalan, you may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have a fever, chills, cough, mouth sores, unusual bleeding or bruising, or pain or burning when you urinate.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use melphalan if you are allergic to it, or if you received melphalan in the past and it did not work.

Tell your doctor if you now have or have ever had:

• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

• an infection or weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine);

• liver or kidney disease; or

• chemotherapy or radiation.

Using melphalan may increase your risk of developing other cancers, such as leukemia. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during and shortly after treatment. Melphalan can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or father is using this medicine.

Ask your doctor how long you should keep using birth control after your last dose of melphalan. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using melphalan.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because melphalan can harm an unborn baby.

You should not breastfeed while using melphalan.

How is melphalan given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Melphalan oral is taken by mouth.

Melphalan injection is given as an infusion through a central intravenous (IV) line placed into a large vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injectio...