Melphahill 5mg Tablet is used to treat cancer of ovaries and a type of cancer of bone marrow called multiple myeloma. It may be also used to treat other conditions, as determined by the doctor.

Melphahill 5mg Tablet should be taken on an empty stomach, but try to take it at the same time every day. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. It makes skin more sensitive towards sunlight, wear protective clothing or use sunscreen.

The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, and anemia (low number of red blood cells). This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells in your blood thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with kidney, liver and heart function during treatment with this medicine. Inform your doctor if you observe signs of infections such as fever, chills, body ache or if you have unusual bruising or bleeding and bleeding gums or blood in your urine or stool.

Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have bleeding, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.

Uses of Melphahill Tablet

Benefits of Melphahill Tablet

In Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a cancer that begins in the female organs that produce eggs (ovaries). This type of cancer is usually detected very late and can be fatal too. It usually spreads to the pelvis and stomach. Melphahill 5mg Tablet kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells. It is an effective medicine but has some side effects that may be bothersome. So, you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Side effects of Melphahill Tablet

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Melphahill

Nausea
Vomiting
Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
Hair loss
Low blood platelets
Diarrhea
Decreased white blood cell count

How to use Melphahill Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Melphahill 5mg Tablet is to be taken on an empty stomach.

How Melphahill Tablet works

Melphahill 5mg Tablet is an anti-cancer medication. It works by damaging the genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This stops their growth and multiplication.

Safety advice

Alcohol

CAUTION

Alcohol should be used with caution while taking Melphahill 5mg Tablet.

Pregnancy

UNSAFE

Melphahill 5mg Tablet is highly unsafe during pregnancy. It can cause serious harm to the unborn baby, including birth defects and pregnancy loss. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Breast feeding

UNSAFE

Melphahill 5mg Tablet is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.

Driving

UNSAFE

Melphahill 5mg Tablet may cause side effects that could affect your ability to drive.

Kidney

CAUTION

Melphahill 5mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment may be needed.

Liver

CAUTION

Melphahill 5mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Dose adjustment may be needed.

What if you forget to take Melphahill Tablet?

If you miss a dose of Melphahill 5mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

No substitutes found for this medicine

Quick tips

Melphahill 5mg Tablet should be taken as per dose and duration suggested by the doctor.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Phenylalanine derivative

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

ANTI NEOPLASTICS

Action Class

Alkylating Agents

Interaction with drugs

Taking Melphahill with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects

Filgrastim (Injection Route) Severe

Do not consume Filgrastim from 24 hours before or 24 hours after taking Melphalan. Melphalan may reduce the efficacy of Filgrastim.

Pegfilgrastim (Injection Route) Severe

Do not consume Pegfilgrastim from 24 hours before or 24 hours after taking Melphalan. Melphalan may reduce the efficacy of Pegfilgrastim.

Sargramostim (Injection Route) Severe

Do not consume Sargramostim from 24 hours before or 24 hours after taking Melphalan. Melphalan may reduce the efficacy of Sargramostim.

Lenograstim (Injection Route) Severe

Do not consume Lenograstim from 24 hours before or 24 hours after taking Melphalan. Melphalan may reduce the efficacy of Lenograstim.

Cholera Vaccine (Inactivated) (Oral Route) Severe

Do not use Melphalan with Cholera Vaccine (Inactivated). If Cholera Vaccine (Inactivated) is essential, ensure a gap of At least 6 months after discontinuing Melphalan. Please cons... More

View all drug interactions

Related lab tests

Albumin/Globulin Ratio, Serum

Calcium

Complete Blood Count

Kidney Function Test

Related ayurvedic ingredients

Green Tea

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Disclaimer:

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

Chabner BA, Bertino J, Cleary J, et al. Cytotoxic Agents. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 1684.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 860-61.
Melphalan. Dublin, Ireland: Aspen; 2002 [revised Jan. 2014]. [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from: