|
|
Composition
Melphalan
.........................................................50 mg
Indications
Breast carcinoma, multiple myeloma, advanced ovarian carcinoma,
other neoplasms in combination with surgery. Malignant melanoma,
polycythaemia vera.
Description
Melphalan also known as L-phenylalanine mustard, phenylalanine
mustard, L-PAM or L-sarcolysin, is a phenylalanine derivative of
nitrogen mustard. Melphalan is a bifunctional alkylating agent
which is active against selective human neoplastic diseases. It is
known chemically as 4-[bis(2-chloroethyl) amino]-L-phenylalanine.
The molecular formula is C13H18Cl2N2O2 and the molecular weight is
305.20. Melphalan is the active L-isomer of the compound and was
first synthesized in 1953 by Bergel and Stock; the D isomer, known
as medphalan, is less active against certain animal tumors, and
the dose needed to produce effects on chromosomes is larger than
that required with the L-isomer.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
ALPHEN should not be used in patients whose disease has
demonstrated a prior resistance to this agent. Patients who have
demonstrated hypersensitivity to melphalan should not be given the
drug.
Dosage
Adults: Multiple myeloma: Usual oral dose 6mg/day. Maintenance
dose 2mg/day.
Children: Multiple myeloma: 0.15mg/kg/day for 7 days. Maintenance
dose 0.05mg/kg/day when WBC/platelets count are rising. Ovarian
carcinoma: 0.2mg/kg/day for 5 days. Repeat course after 4-5 weeks.
Presentations
|
Quality
