Alkacel 2 mg Tablet

How to use Alkacel 2 mg Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Alkacel 2 mg Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.

How Medicine Works

Alkacel 2 mg Tablet is an anti-cancer medication. It works by damaging the genetic material (DNA and RNA) of the cancer cells. This stops their growth and multiplication.

Expert Advice

• Melphalan to be taken on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise. 
• You may be at risk of infection so try to avoid contact with people with cold, fever or any other signs of infection. 
• Avoid exposure to sunlight. Use sunscreen lotion and protective clothing. 
• You may be monitored periodically for complete blood counts (at least one determination prior to each treatment course) during the course of treatment.
• Melphalan may increase the risk that you will develop other cancers. Talk with your doctor about the risks of taking melphalan.

• Do not take live vaccines if you are an immunocompromised patient.
• Use of melphalan is not recommended in children.
• Use with melphalan extreme caution if your bone marrow reserve have been compromised by prior irradiation or chemotherapy, or if your marrow function is recovering from previous cytotoxic therapy.
• Use appropriate contraceptive methods to avoid pregnancy during melphalan treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Is Alkacel a vesicant (irritant)?

Alkacel is not a vesicant but an anti-cancer drug

Q. How is Alkacel given?

Alkacel is given by oral or intravenous route; dosing varies by purpose and route of administration as well as patient weight

Q. Does Alkacel cause hair loss/ neuropathy/ liver damage?

Alkacel causes hair loss as one of the side effects. but cause for liver damage and neuropathy is not known

Q. How does Alkacel work/ how does Alkacel kill cancer cells?

Alkacel belongs to class of drugs called alkylating agents. It works by stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells in your body.