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CancerQuest > Drugs > Melphalan (Alkeran®, L-Phenylalanine mustard, L-Sarcolysin)

Melphalan (Alkeran®, L-Phenylalanine mustard, L-Sarcolysin)

Generic Name: Melphalan Brand Name(s): Alkeran®, L-Phenylalanine mustard, L-Sarcolysin IUPAC: 2-amino-3-[4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]propanoic acid FDA Approval: yes Manufacturer Link

Usage: Malignancies in which melphalan is used include multiple myeloma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer. Melphalan is usually administered intravenously or in pill form.

Mechanism: Melphalan (Alkeran®, L-Sarcolysin, Phenylalanine mustard) is an alkylating agent

Side Effects: Common side effects include myelosupression (decreased blood cell counts), excessive bleeding, nausea and vomiting. Melphalan may also cause birth defects. Women who are pregnant or are thinking of becoming pregnant should not take this drug. Aspirin should be avoided as it 'thins' the blood and could worsen any bleeding problems. Melphalan may have a negative affects on the the immune system. Because of this, patients should not receive immunizations while being treated. Interactions with cimetidine, steroids, cyclosporine and other drugs are possible and patients receiving melphalan treatment should consult a physician before taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs.⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

References for this page:

1. Physician's Desk Reference, 56th ed., 2002. Medcial Economics: Thomson Healthcare.
2. Alkeran.. Prescribing Information. GlaxoSmithKline. November, 2001. [http://www.gsk.com]