Melphalan is a chemotherapy medicine used before bone marrow transplant or high dose therapy with stem cell rescue to help treat certain types of cancer, immunology and metabolic conditions.
How is melphalan given?
It is given intravenously into a vein through a central venous catheter or implantable port.
What are the side effects of melphalan?
Nausea and vomiting
Anti-sickness drugs will be given to reduce or prevent these symptoms. Please tell your doctor or nurse if your child’s sickness is not controlled or persists.
Bone marrow suppression
There will be a temporary reduction in how well your child’s bone marrow works. This means your child may become anaemic, bruise or bleed more easily than usual, and have a higher risk of infection. Your child’s blood counts will be checked regularly to see how the bone marrow is working. Please tell your doctor if your child seems unusually tired, has bruising or bleeding, or any signs of infection, especially a high temperature.
Mouth sores and ulcers
Your child may get painful or bleeding gums, ulcers or a sore mouth. You will be given advice about appropriate mouth care including a copy of the mouth care leaflet. If your child complains of having a sore mouth, please tell your doctor or nurse.
Diarrhoea
If your child has a sore mouth, he or she will often have a sore tummy too. This can cause pain and bloating as well as diarrhoea. Please tell the doctor or nurse if your child has diarrhoea that is not controlled or persists. It is important that your child drinks lots of fluids.
Hair loss
Your child may lose some or all of his or her hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes. This is temporary and the hair will grow back once the treatment has finished.
Fertility
Depending on the combination of medicines and the dose that your child is given, his or her fertility may be affected. If you feel you would like more information, please discuss this with your doctor.
Liver function
Melphalan can sometimes cause some changes to your child’s liver function. This should return to normal when the treatment is finished. Blood tests will be taken to monitor your child’s liver function and his or her weight and tummy measurement will be recorded. If you notice the whites of your child’s eyes or his or her skin become yellow, please let your doctor or nurse know immediately.
Warm or tingling feeling
Your child may experience a warm or tingling feeling while he or she is being given melphalan. This disappears once the melphalan has been given.
Allergic reaction
Some children receiving melphalan may have an allergic reaction to the drug. This reaction may be mild to severe. Signs of a mild allergic reaction include skin rashes and itching, high temperature, shivering, redness of the face, a feeling of dizziness or a headache. If you see any of these signs, please report them to a doctor or nurse.
Signs of a severe allergic reaction include any of the above, as well as shortness of breath or chest pain. If your child shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, call a doctor or nurse immediately.
Kidney function
Melphalan may change how well your child’s kidneys work. Kidney function will be monitored with regular blood tests.
Lung problems
Melphalan may cause changes to the lung function. If your child develops a cough, has difficulty breathing or chest pain, please tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
Secondary cancers
There is a very small risk of your child developing a second cancer after many years. If you would like more information, please discuss this with your doctor.
Melphalan and interactions with other medicines
Some medicines can react with melphalan, altering how well it works. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicine, including medicines on prescription from your family doctor (GP), medicines bought from a pharmacy (chemist) or any herbal or complementary medicines.
Last reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: April 2013
Ref: 2013F0781
Compiled by the Pharmacy department in collaboration with the Child and Family Information Group.
Please read this information in conjunction with any patient information leaflet provided by the manufacturer. However, please note that this information explains about the use of medicines in children and young people so may differ from the manufacturer’s information.
Each person reacts differently to medicines so your child will not necessarily suffer every side effect mentioned. This information does not constitute health or medical advice and will not necessarily reflect treatment at other hospitals. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor. No liability can be taken as a result of using this information.
