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Melphalan



Melphalan
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-amino-3-[4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]-
propanoic acid
Identifiers
CAS number 148-82-3
ATC code L01AA03
PubChem 4053
DrugBank APRD00118
Chemical data
Formula C13H18Cl2N2O2 
Mol. mass 305.2 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 25% to 89%
Metabolism hydrolysis
Half life 1.5 ± 0.8 hours
Excretion Renal, significantly metabolised
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

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Legal status

Prescription only

Routes Oral, intravenous

Melphalan hydrochloride (trade name Alkeran) is a chemotherapy drug belonging to the class of nitrogen mustard alkylating agents. It is used primarily to treat multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer, and occasionally malignant melanoma. Otherwise known as L-Phenylalanine Mustard, or L-PAM, melphalan is a phenylalanine derivative of mechlorethamine. The agent was first investigated as a possible drug for use in melanoma. It did not work, but was found to be of use in myeloma.

Administration

Oral or intravenous; dosing varies by purpose and route of administration as well as patient weight.

Side effects

Common side effects include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bone marrow suppression, including
    • Decreased white blood cell count causing increased risk of infection
    • Decreased platelet count causing increased risk of bleeding

Less common side effects include:

  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Scarring of lung tissue (usually only with prolonged use)
  • Hair loss
  • Rash
  • Itching


 
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Melphalan". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
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