Alkeran
Alkeran contains a medicine called melfalan, which is used to treat certain types of cancer by reducing the number of abnormal cells in your body.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
2 mg
Active Ingredient
Melphalan
Manufacturer
Aspen Pharma Trading Limited
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will determine the dose based on your type of illness and needs.
Method
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew them.
Important
Your doctor will determine the maximum daily dose.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Decrease in blood cells and platelets.
- •Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- •Mouth sores (especially with high doses of Alkeran).
- •Hair loss (especially with high doses of Alkeran).
- •Hair loss (with usual doses of Alkeran).
- •High levels of urea in the blood (in people with kidney problems and myeloma).
RARE
- •Hemolytic anemia (low red blood cells, tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, yellow skin or eyes).
- •Lung problems (cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing).
- •Liver problems (abnormal blood tests, jaundice).
- •Mouth sores (with usual doses of Alkeran).
- •Rash or itchy skin.
- •Leukemia (blood cancer).
- •Stopped periods in women (amenorrhea).
- •No sperm in men (azoospermia).
- •Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (blood clots).
- •Acute kidney injury (sudden kidney failure).
Important Warnings
- Do not take Alkeran if you are allergic to melfalan or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Do not take Alkeran if your bone marrow is not working well (e.g., due to radiation therapy).
- Do not take Alkeran if you are in your first trimester of pregnancy or are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy or are already pregnant.
- Tell your doctor if you have recently had radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Show 5 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you are about to get vaccinated or have recently been vaccinated, as some vaccines can cause infections while you are taking Alkeran.
- If you are using combined birth control pills, you have an increased risk of blood clots. You may need to switch to another type of birth control and might need medication to prevent blood clots.
- Alkeran can damage genes and cause infertility. Use effective contraception during treatment and for a certain period afterward (women 6 months, men 3 months).
- Alkeran may slightly increase the risk of developing other types of cancer, especially when combined with certain other medicines.
- Contact a doctor immediately or go to the hospital if you have an allergic reaction (rash, swelling, breathing difficulties, fainting), unexpected bruising or bleeding, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, or if you suddenly feel unwell (even without a fever).