Is melphalan hazardous?
Cancer Hazard * Melphalan is a CARCINOGEN in humans. It has been shown to cause leukemia in humans and lung cancer in animals.
Is melphalan soluble in water?
Melphalan is practically insoluble in water and has a pKa, of -2.5. Melphalan salt is practically insoluble in acetone and chlorinated organic solvents. Slightly soluble in methanol and ethanol.
What is Melphalan made of?
Melphalan is a phenylalanine derivative of nitrogen mustard with antineoplastic activity.
What class of drug is melphalan?
Melphalan belongs to the group of medicines called alkylating agents (cancer medicines). It works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal cells may also be affected by melphalan, other unwanted effects will also occur.
Which isomer of melphalan is more active?
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.
How do you dissolve melphalan?
A stock solution may be made by dissolving the melphalan in the solvent of choice. Melphalan is soluble in organic solvents such as methanol and DMSO which should be purged with an inert gas. The solubility of melphalan in these solvents is approximately 2 and 5 mg/ml, respectively.
How long does melphalan stay in your body?
How long does melphalan stay in the body? White blood cell 8-10 days, 27-32 days (platelets).
How is melphalan excreted?
About 10% of the drug is excreted unchanged in the urine within 24 hours, and about 30% of administered melphalan (including metabolites) is excreted in the urine within 9 days of oral administration (McEvoy, 2007; Sweetman, 2008). Approximately 20–50% of the dose is eliminated via faeces (McEvoy, 2007).
What are the side effects of melphalan?
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lip/mouth sores, and loss of appetite may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting.
How long does melphalan stay in the body?
How long do melphalan side effects last?
Nausea and throwing up (vomiting). These symptoms may happen within a few hours after treatment and may last up to 48 hours. Medicines are available to stop or lessen these side effects.
Who manufactures melphalan?
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals has patents for Captisol® technology which covers melphalan, these patents are due to expire between 2025 and 2029 in the US and in 2025 outside the US.
Along with their needed effects, medicines like melphalan can sometimes cause unwanted effects such as blood problems and other side effects. These and others are described below.
What is melphalan hydrochloride used for in cancer?
Use in Cancer. Melphalan hydrochloride is approved to treat: Multiple myeloma. It is used for palliative treatment in patients who cannot take melphalan by mouth. This use is approved for the Alkeran and Evomela brands. It is used as a conditioning treatment to prepare patients for a stem cell transplant. This use is approved for the Evomela brand.
What is the diluent for melphalan hydrochloride?
Melphalan hydrochloride for injection is reconstituted using the sterile diluent provided. Each vial of sterile diluent contains sodium citrate 0.2 g, propylene glycol 6 mL, ethanol (100%) 0.5 mL, and water for injection to a total of 10 mL. Melphalan hydrochloride is administered intravenously.
What is the pKa of melphalan?
DESCRIPTION: Melphalan is practically insoluble in water and has a pKa 1 of approximately 2.5. Melphalan hydrochloride for injection is supplied as a sterile, nonpyrogenic, freeze-dried powder. Each single use vial contains Melphalan hydrochloride equivalent to 50 mg Melphalan and 20 mg povidone.