Monograph Details
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Neoplasms
> Alkylating agents
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ALKERAN |
| Manufacturer |
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GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Pharmacological Class |
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Nitrogen mustard derivative. |
| Generic Name |
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Melphalan 2mg; scored tabs. |
| Also |
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• ALKERAN FOR INJECTION
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| Indications |
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Palliative treatment for multiple myeloma and non-resectable epithelial ovarian cancer. |
| Children |
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Not recommended. |
| Adults |
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Multiple myeloma: 6mg once daily for 2–3 weeks; stop for up to 4 weeks, maintenance 2mg per day. Ovarian cancer: 0.2mg/kg per day for 5 days; repeat course every 4–5 weeks. Both: continue treatment as hematological recovery permits (esp. WBCs and platelets); for other regimens: see literature. |
| Contraindications |
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Prior resistance to melphalan. |
| Precautions |
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Prior irradiation or chemotherapy. Bone marrow suppression. Azotemia. Monitor platelets, hemoglobin, WBC and differential at start of therapy and prior to each course; discontinue if WBC <3,000cells/µL or platelets <100,000cells/µL. Moderate to severe renal impairment. Elderly. Pregnancy (Cat.D), nursing mothers: not recommended. |
| Interactions |
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Radiotherapy potentiates antineoplastic effect. For IV: caution with cyclosporine, cisplatin, BCNU, nalidixic acid. |
| Adverse Reactions |
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Bone marrow suppression, GI upset, hepatic dysfunction, anemia, blood dyscrasias, secondary malignancies (eg, nonlymphocytic leukemia), rash, alopecia, pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonitis, gonadal toxicity (amenorrhea, infertility); hypersensitivity reactions, cardiac arrest (rare). |
| How Supplied |
Tabs—50
Single-use vial—1 (w. diluent) |
| Additional Resources |
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• Related Prescribing Note |
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