Melphalan (Patient)
Medication Basics
Drug Name
Melphalan
Purpose / Indication
Melphalan is a chemotherapy drug used to treat multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer. It is also used as part of conditioning (preparation) before stem cell transplants.
Dosage & Administration
Dose Schedule
<p>Your oncology team will decide your dose and schedule. Melphalan may be given as a pill taken by mouth or as an IV infusion at a cancer center. Doses vary greatly depending on your treatment plan.</p>
Route
IV (Intravenous)
Timing Considerations
Take oral melphalan on an empty stomach if directed. For IV melphalan given before a stem cell transplant, it is given in the hospital over one or several days.
Food Relation
Take on empty stomach
Time of Day
Flexible
Special Instructions
Do not crush or chew melphalan tablets. Swallow whole with water. Wash your hands after handling tablets. Tell your care team if you have trouble swallowing.
Mechanism of Action
Mechanism
Melphalan works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells, which stops them from growing and dividing. It belongs to a group of drugs called alkylating agents.