What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- cough or hoarseness
- diarrhea
- fever or chills
- nausea and vomiting
- pinpoint red spots on skin
- sores in mouth or on lips
- sudden skin rash or itching
- temporary loss of hair
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.
Allergic reactions: A severe reaction, including chills, fever, fast heart rate, dizziness, swelling of the mouth and throat, and difficulty breathing may be experienced by some people. If you notice these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. This reaction occurs more frequently with multiple cycles of melphalan or if people have had a previous reaction to this medication.
Blood clotting: This medication can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice unusual or unexplained bleeding. Symptoms include easy bruising; bleeding gums; nosebleeds; spitting or vomiting blood (like ground coffee); brown or discolored urine; or bloody, black, tarry stools.
Blood tests: Your doctor will recommend regular blood tests while you are taking this medication. Be sure to keep all appointments for blood tests, and let your doctor know if you miss an appointment.
Damage to cells: This medication can potentially cause cancer, birth defects, and temporary or permanent fertility problems. Speak to your doctor for more information.
Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, this medication can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Avoid contact with people with contagious infections and tell your doctor if you begin to notice the signs of an infection such as fever or chills.
Kidney disease: People with kidney disease may require close monitoring and dosing adjustments of this medication.
Pregnancy: There is a possibility of birth defects if either the man or woman is taking melphalan at the time of conception, or if it is taken during pregnancy. Effective birth control should be practiced while using this medication. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if melphalan passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. The following medications may affect the way melphalan works, be affected by melphalan, or increase the risk of side effects:
- carmustine (BCNU)
- cisplatin
- cyclosporine
- live viral vaccines
- nalidixic acid
If you are taking any of these or other medications (including non-prescription, herbal, and supplement products), speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want to change your therapy or may suggest ways of managing any interactions. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your doctor know if you use them. Medications other than those listed above may also interact with this medication.