ALKACEL 50MG INJECTION

Introduction:

Alkacel 50mg Injection is a chemotherapy medication containing the active constituent melphalan. It is used to treat multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer that occurs in bone marrow cells, that helps the body fight infection), advanced ovarian cancer, skin cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma (cancer of soft tissues that mostly found in legs, chest, abdomen). 

It is also used to treat childhood neuroblastoma, cancer that occurs in immature nerve tissue. It can develop in the adrenal glands, neck, chest, abdomen or spine. Inform your physician if you have kidney disorders, liver disorders, epilepsy, blood clot problems, have had radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or vaccination recently or are about to have any vaccines before taking Alkacel 50mg Injection.

Use effective birth control during the treatment and for at least three months after the last dose as it may cause permanent damage to a fetus. 

Uses of Alkacel 50mg Injection:

• Multiple myeloma
• Advanced ovarian cancer
• Childhood neuroblastoma
• Soft tissue sarcoma
• Skin cancer

How Alkacel 50mg Injection works:

It reduces the number of abnormal cells produced in the body by damaging the hereditary material of cancer cells. 

Interaction with other drugs:

Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or have taken before the treatment.

More information: 

• Store at temperature between 2°C and 8°C.
• Do not freeze.

References:

1. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs,7th edition, 2013, 860.
2. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe BV, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on June 2020] [ Accessed on 24th Nov 2021], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.10008.pdf
3. Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on March 2017] [ Accessed on 24th Nov 2021], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/207155s001lbl.pdf

How to use Alkacel 50mg Injection:

It will be administered by a physician or health care professional. 

Safety advice:

Pregnancy: 

Alkacel 50mg Injection is not recommended for pregnant patients as this medicine can harm your unborn baby. Tell your physician if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant before taking this medication.

Breastfeeding:

Avoid breastfeeding while taking Alkacel 50mg Injection. Inform your physician if you are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.

Liver: 

You need to tell your physician if you have any liver disorders before taking Alkacel 50mg Injection.

Kidney:

Inform your doctor if you have any kidney diseases before taking this medicine. Your doctor will usually give a lower dose if you have any kidney problems.

Alcohol:

This medicine contains alcohol. Inform your physician if you suffer from alcoholism or epilepsy.

Others:

• Inform your physician if you have blood clot problems, have had radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or vaccination recently or are about to have any vaccines before taking Alkacel 50mg Injection.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all medicines cause side effects, not everyone gets them.

Serious:

• Allergic reaction (rash, swollen face, eyelids, or lips, tightness of chest)
• Fever of infection (sore mouth or throat, urinary problems)
• Unexpected bleeding or bruising
• Achy, weak or stiff muscles, darker urine

Common:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Low blood cell count
• Hair loss
• Mouth ulcers
• Tingling or warm sensation where the medicine was injected