Alkeran(Melphalan)

Alkeran Information

Alkeran belongs to the class of medicines used for treating cancer called antineoplastic. It lowers the growth and spread of the cancer cells in the body.

Alkeran Indications

This product is used to treat cancer of the ovary, Breast Cancer and myeloma, a type of blood cancer. It can also be used as medication in some illness other than those mentioned before.

Alkeran Warnings

Alkeran belongs to the FDA category D that is known to cause defects to those unborn baby. Consult your doctor first before taking this medicine because it is not advisable to patients who are pregnant or is planning a pregnancy. Also, it is not good to take Alkeran when you are breast feeding a baby.

Consult your doctor first before taking Alkeran if you have the following:

• Kidney disease
• Bone marrow problems

Alkeran can lower your immune system making you prone to infections so avoid contact with people who have colds, flu, and other contagious diseases during treatment with Alkeran.

Alkeran Intake Guidelines

You should take Alkeran exactly the same procedure or direction the doctor has prescribed. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you in case you do not understand the instructions. It is advised to take each oral dose with a large glass of water. Only qualified healthcare providers which is experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents has the supervision to administer or to give injectable Alkeran. To monitor side effects and progress, your doctor might require you to have regular schedule of blood tests and other medical evaluations during the time of treatment with Alkeran.

Alkeran Dosage

The amount and frequency of treatment with Alkeran will be given by your doctor depending on the kind of cancer or disease to be treated and other factors.

Alkeran Overdose

If you overdose Alkeran, the symptoms is similar with its side effects only, sometimes it is more severe. If you have suspected any symptoms of overdose from this product, look for emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Alkeran Missed Dose

You should contact your doctor in any cases of missed dose.

Alkeran Side Effects

You must contact your doctor or have an emergency medical treatment in case you experience the following serious side effects:

• Allergic reactions like shortness of breathing, closing of throat, difficulty in breathing, swelling of lips, or hives.
• Problems in the blood and decreasing function of the bone marrow.
• Redness or irritation in the blood vessels or veins.
• Loss of weight, vomiting or severe nausea.
• Persistent cough
• Lumps or masses that are unusual

Consult your doctor if you experience the following less serious side effects:

• Temporary loss of hair
• Rash and itching
• In women, lack of menstruation
• Diarrhea, mild to moderate nausea, or vomiting
• Mouth sores

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the medication because there are some reported cases that second cancers occur during and following the treatment with Alkeran. There are some side effects which were not mentioned so if there are any unusual or bothersome things that occur in you, tell your doctor about it.

Alkeran Drug Reactions

Inform your doctor first before taking Alkeran if you are using the following medicines:

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• cisplatin( Playinol, Platinol-AQ)
• Carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel)
• Nalidixic acid (Neggram)
• Another chemotherap ymedicine

In case that you are taking the medicines listed above, you might need some dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment with Alkeran. It is dangerous to take ‘live’ vaccines during the treatment with Alkeran. Before taking other prescription or over-the-counter medicines like minerals, vitamins, and herbal products during the treatment of Alkeran, ask your doctor or pharmacist first because there are some other drugs which are not listed above that could affect Alkeran.