Melphalan (Alkeran)
General information
Class/mechanism: Nitrogen mustard, alkylator. Melphalan is a bischloroethylamine alkylating agent that crosslinks DNA by binding at the N7 position of guanine, with activity against resting and proliferating cells.[1][2]
Route: IV, PO
Extravasation: irritant
For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias such as Micromedex, Lexicomp, UpToDate (courtesy of Lexicomp), or the prescribing information.[1]
Diseases for which it is used
- Acute promyelocytic leukemia
- Bone cancer
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis
- Multiple myeloma
- Plasma cell leukemia
- Transplant conditioning regimens
Patient drug information
- Melphalan (Alkeran) patient drug information (Chemocare)[3]
- Melphalan (Alkeran) patient drug information (UpToDate)[4]
History of changes in FDA indication
- 1/17/1964: Initial FDA approval[5]
Also known as
Precise Name: Melphalan hydrochloride (RXCUI 235857)
Synonyms | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alkerana | L-PAM | L-Sacrolysin | L-Sarcolysin | Levofolan | Melfalan |
References
- Drug index
- Chemotherapy
- Intravenous chemotherapy
- Irritant chemotherapy
- Oral chemotherapy
- Alkylating agents
- Nitrogen mustards
- Acute promyelocytic leukemia medications
- Bone cancer medications
- Hodgkin lymphoma medications
- Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis medications
- Multiple myeloma medications
- Plasma cell leukemia medications
- Transplant medications
- Drugs FDA approved in 1964