Alkeran 2mg Tablet
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Melphalan (2mg) |
| Storage | Store in a refrigerator (2 - 8°C). Do not freeze. |
| Chemical Class | Nitrogen Mustard Compounds |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | ANTI NEOPLASTICS |
| Action Class | Alkylating agent |
| User Rating | 4.1 |
| User Reviews | 713 |
FAQ
What if you forget to take Alkeran Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Alkeran 2mg, 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.
Alkeran 2mg Tablet Reviews
Alkeran 2mg 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.
Alkeran 2mg 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.
Alkeran 2mg 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.
How Alkeran 2mg Tablet Works
Alkeran 2mg 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.
How to Use Alkeran 2mg 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. Alkeran 2mg is to be taken empty stomach.
Benefits of Alkeran 2mg Tablet
- In Multiple myeloma: If you have multiple myeloma, your body is destroying bone faster than it is being replaced. This makes bones weak and painful and more likely to break. Alkeran 2mg may be prescribed along with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. It is an important part of your treatment and increases the survival rate of people with multiple myeloma. This medicine will kill the cancerous cells and prevent their further growth as well as spread to other parts of the body. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get the most benefit. Supplements of calcium and Vitamin D3 are also effective and may be prescribed if you do not have high blood calcium levels.
- 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. Alkeran 2mg 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.
Uses of Alkeran 2mg Tablet
- Multiple myeloma
- Ovarian cancer
Alkeran 2mg Tablet Side Effects
Safety Tips
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Alkeran 2mg in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Alkeran 2mg is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether Alkeran 2mg alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Breast feeding
UNSAFE
Alkeran 2mg is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Kidney
CAUTION
Alkeran 2mg should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Alkeran 2mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Alkeran 2mg. Please consult your doctor.
Quick Tips
- Alkeran 2mg should be taken as per dose and duration suggested by the doctor.
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.
- Drugs.com. Melphalan Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings.
- 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].