What is melphalan used to treat?

Melphalan is used to treat multiple myeloma (a type of cancer of the bone marrow). Melphalan is also used to treat a certain type of ovarian cancer (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed). Melphalan is in a class of medications called alkylating agents.

What is cyclophosphamide used for?

Cyclophosphamide is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. When cyclophosphamide is used to treat cancer, it works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body. When cyclophosphamide is used to treat nephrotic syndrome, it works by suppressing your body’s immune system.

What is busulfan used for?

Busulfan is used treat a certain type of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML; a type of cancer of the white blood cells). Busulfan is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body.

Why is melphalan a good cancer drug?

Synthesis. Another amino acid-like drug is the antineoplastic agent melphalan. Tumor cells spend less time in resting phases than normal cells so at any given time, they are more likely to be metabolically active than most normal host cells.

Is melphalan expensive?

The cost for melphalan intravenous powder for injection 50 mg is around $257 for a supply of 1 powder for injection, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.

How is cyclophosphamide given?

It is usually given through a vein by injection or infusion (intravenous, IV) or by mouth in tablet form, depending upon diagnosis. Cyclophosphamide is also approved to be given by a shot into a muscle (IM), into the abdominal lining (intraperitoneal, IP), or into the lining of the lung (intrapleural).

How fast does cyclophosphamide work?

How soon will I feel the effects of cyclophosphamide? Like all DMARDs, it takes time to work. Its positive effects will likely start at 4-8 weeks. Side effects can occur earlier.

What is the drug busulfan mode of action?

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Busulfan is a bifunctional alkylating agent. 3-5 Following systemic absorption, carbonium ions are rapidly formed, resulting in alkylation of DNA.

Which adverse effect may occur in a patient receiving busulfan?

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, mouth sores, stomach/abdominal pain, dizziness, swelling ankles/feet/hand, flushing, headache, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Nausea and vomiting can be severe.

Is ramucirumab an immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as ramucirumab and pembrolizumab, may help the body’s immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.

What are the side effects of melphalan?

Possible Side Effects (More Common)

Bone marrow depression.
Nausea and throwing up (vomiting).
Soreness of the mouth and throat.
Hair loss: Hair loss is often complete scalp hair loss and can involve loss of eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair.
Loose bowel movements(diarrhea) that may last for a few days.

What are the side effects of Alkeran in humans?

ALKERAN (melphalan) should be administered under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Severe bone marrow suppression with resulting infection or bleeding may occur. Melphalan is leukemogenic in humans.

When to use Alkeran tablets for multiple myeloma?

Alkeran Tablets are indicated for the palliative treatment of multiple myeloma and for the palliation of non-resectable epithelial carcinoma of the ovary. ALKERAN should not be used in patients whose disease has demonstrated a prior resistance to this agent.

How much melphalan is in an Alkeran tablet?

ALKERAN (melphalan) is available in tablet form for oral administration. Each film-coated tablet contains 2 mg melphalan and the inactive ingredients colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hypromellose, macrogol/PEG 400, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and titanium dioxide. Indications & Dosage INDICATIONS

How often should you take Alkeran in a day?

One regimen has been to administer courses of ALKERAN (melphalan) at 0.25 mg/kg/day for 4 consecutive days (or, 0.20 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days) for a total dose of 1 mg/kg/course. These 4- to 5-day courses are then repeated every 4 to 6 weeks if the granulocyte count and the platelet count have returned to normal levels.

What is melphalan used to treat? Melphalan is used to treat multiple myeloma (a type of cancer of the bone marrow). Melphalan is also used to treat a certain type of ovarian cancer (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed). Melphalan is in a class of medications called alkylating agents.…