Melphalan Oral Tablet

Melphalan is used to treat ovarian cancer and multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer).

This drug is available as a tablet you take by mouth. It also comes as an injectable solution. If you can’t take tablets, you’ll receive the injection. The injection is only given by a healthcare provider.

Melphalan tablets are available as the brand-name drug Alkeran. They're also available as a generic drug.

The most common side effect of this drug is bone marrow suppression. This causes you to have fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This may cause unexplained bleeding or bruising, blood in your urine or stools, extreme tiredness, fever, and infections.

In some cases, melphalan can cause serious side effects. These can include severe allergic reactions.

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What is melphalan?

Melphalan is a prescription drug. It’s available as an oral tablet and a solution for injection. You can only receive the injection from a healthcare provider.

Melphalan tablets are available as the brand-name drug Alkeran. They’re also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version. 

This drug may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

Why it's used

Melphalan is used to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer). It’s also used to treat ovarian cancer.

How it works

Melphalan belongs to a class of drugs called alkylating agents. These are a type of antineoplastic (anticancer) drugs.

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