Melphalan – Overview, Uses, and Key Facts

When talking about Melphalan, an alkylating chemotherapy drug used mainly for blood‑cancer treatment. Also known as L‑PAM, it works by attaching to DNA and stopping cancer cells from dividing. This drug is part of the broader Chemotherapy, a treatment approach that uses chemicals to kill or slow cancer cells family. Within chemotherapy, melphalan belongs to the alkylating agents, compounds that add alkyl groups to DNA, causing breaks that prevent tumor growth. Doctors most often prescribe it for multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, and sometimes for certain ovarian cancers or as a conditioning agent before stem‑cell transplants. Understanding how melphalan fits into these categories helps you see why dosing, side effects, and monitoring are so specific.

What to Know Before Starting Melphalan

Melphalan is given by mouth or IV, and the dose is calculated by body surface area. Because it attacks rapidly dividing cells, it also hits healthy tissue in the gut, hair follicles, and bone‑marrow. That’s why patients often experience nausea, low blood counts, and temporary hair loss. Blood tests are done before each cycle to track white cells, platelets, and kidney function. If labs drop too low, doctors may delay the next dose or reduce the amount. The drug’s half‑life is short, but its DNA damage can linger, which is why long‑term follow‑up is recommended to watch for secondary cancers.

Cost is a common concern. Melphalan is a specialty medication, so prices vary widely. Many readers search for ways to buy cheap generic versions online, and reputable pharmacies can offer significant savings when you verify licenses and compare prices. Our own guide on safe online purchasing walks you through checking pharmacy credentials, reading customer reviews, and spotting red flags like unusually low prices or no prescription requirement. By following those steps, you can lower out‑of‑pocket costs without compromising safety.

Melphalan is rarely used alone. In multiple myeloma, it’s often combined with steroids such as dexamethasone or with newer agents like bortezomib. This combination strategy, called multi‑drug chemotherapy, aims to hit the cancer from different angles and reduce resistance. For patients heading into an autologous stem‑cell transplant, melphalan serves as a high‑dose conditioning regimen that wipes out existing marrow, making room for the infused stem cells to grow back healthy. The success of that transplant hinges on precise dosing and timing, underscoring the drug’s pivotal role in modern cancer care.

Below you’ll find a curated list of articles that dive deeper into each of these topics—comparisons of melphalan with other chemo agents, tips for managing side effects, cost‑saving guides, and real‑world patient experiences. Whether you’re starting treatment, supporting a loved one, or simply want to understand how melphalan works, the resources ahead give practical insights you can act on right away.