Drug reference

Melphalan

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 970

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

Multiple myeloma ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 150 micrograms/kg daily for 4 days, dose to be repeated every 6 weeks, dose may vary according to regimen ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INJECTION, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult: (consult product literature) Polycythaemia vera ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: Initially 6–10 mg daily for 5-7 days, then reduced to 2–4 mg daily until satisfactory response, then reduced to 2–6 mg once weekly Localised malignant melanoma of the extremities | Localised soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremities ▶BY REGIONAL ARTERIAL PERFUSION ▶Adult: (consult local protocol)

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Safety

Important Safety Information

RISKS OF INCORRECT DOSING OF ORAL ANTI-CANCER MEDICINES See Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

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Interactions

→Appendix 1: alkylating agents

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Side Effects

GENERAL SIDE-EFFECTS ▶Common or very common Alopecia. anaemia. bone marrow depression (delayed). diarrhoea. nausea. stomatitis. thrombocytopenia. vomiting ▶Rare or very rare Haemolytic anaemia. hepatic disorders. respiratory disorders. skin reactions SPECIFIC SIDE-EFFECTS ▶Common or very common ▶With oral use Leucopenia ▶With parenteral use Feeling hot. myalgia. myopathy. paraesthesia ▶Rare or very rare ▶With parenteral use Peripheral vascular disease SIDE-EFFECTS, FURTHER INFORMATION Secondary malignancy Use of melphalan is associated with an increased incidence of acute leukaemias.

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Conception And Contraception

Manufacturer advises adequate contraception during treatment in men or women. See also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

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Pregnancy

Avoid. See also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

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Breast Feeding

Discontinue breast-feeding.

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Renal Impairment

Dose adjustments Reduce dose initially (consult product literature).

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Monitoring Requirements

Monitor full blood count before and throughout treatment.

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Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Powder and solvent for solution for injection ▶Melphalan (Non-proprietary) Melphalan (as Melphalan hydrochloride) 50 mg Melphalan 50mg powder and solvent for solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £137.37 (Hospital only) | 1 vial P £137.37 Tablet ▶Melphalan (Non-proprietary) Melphalan 2 mg Melphalan 2mg tablets | 25 tablet P £45.38 DT = £45.38

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Dose text by age group

Adult

150 micrograms/kg daily for 4 days, dose to be

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

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Adult

(consult product literature)

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 970

Adult

Initially 6–10 mg daily for 5-7 days, then

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 970

Adult

(consult local protocol)

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 970

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Melphalan

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 970

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

PDF page 970

Safety

Important Safety Information

RISKS OF INCORRECT DOSING OF ORAL ANTI-CANCER MEDICINES See Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

PDF page 970

Interactions

→Appendix 1: alkylating agents

PDF page 970

Side Effects

PDF page 970

Conception And Contraception

Manufacturer advises adequate contraception during treatment in men or women. See also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

PDF page 970

Pregnancy

Avoid. See also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.

PDF page 970

Breast Feeding

Discontinue breast-feeding.

PDF page 970

Renal Impairment

Dose adjustments Reduce dose initially (consult product literature).

PDF page 970

Monitoring Requirements

Monitor full blood count before and throughout treatment.

PDF page 970

Dose and formulations

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 970

Dose text by age group

Adult

150 micrograms/kg daily for 4 days, dose to be

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 970

Adult

(consult product literature)

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 970

Adult

Initially 6–10 mg daily for 5-7 days, then

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 970

Adult

(consult local protocol)

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 970

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.