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|Melphalan Tablets

Melphalan

Melphalan is used for:

Treating certain types of cancer.

Melphalan is an alkylating agent. It works by destroying resting and rapidly dividing tumor cells in certain types of cancer.

Do NOT use Melphalan if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Melphalan
• you have used Melphalan before and it did not work
• you are taking nalidixic acid

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Melphalan:

Some medical conditions may interact with Melphalan. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have bone marrow depression, an infection, low white blood cell count, kidney problems, shingles, or chickenpox, or are undergoing radiation therapy

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Melphalan. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Nalidixic acid or cyclosporine because serious intestinal or kidney problems may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Melphalan may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Melphalan:

Use Melphalan as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Melphalan on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
• If you miss a dose of Melphalan, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Melphalan.

Important safety information:

• This medicine may lower your body"s ability to fight infection. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first. Notify your doctor of any signs of infection, including fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• Check with your doctor before having vaccinations while you are using Melphalan.
• Melphalan may reduce the number of blood cells that are needed for clotting. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations where bruising or injury may occur.
• If loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting occurs, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects.
• LAB TESTS, such as complete blood cell counts, may be necessary to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Melphalan with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Melphalan has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking Melphalan. If you think you may be pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Melphalan during pregnancy. It is unknown if Melphalan is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Melphalan.

Possible side effects of Melphalan:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Hair loss; loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; dark urine; diarrhea; fatigue; fever or chills; irregular or absent menstrual periods; joint pain; lower back or side pain; persistent cough; persistent nausea or vomiting; sore throat; sores on the mouth or lips; stomach pain; swollen feet or lower legs; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual lumps or growths; unusual tiredness; weight loss; yellowing eyes and skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; intestinal bleeding; nausea; vomiting.

Store Melphalan in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Melphalan out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Melphalan, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Melphalan is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Melphalan. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.