Alkacel
Alkacel is a melphalan tablet, 2mg, an alkylating chemotherapy medicine used for multiple myeloma and ovarian cancer, sold in packs of 25 to 150 tablets.
All strengths and pack prices
| Strength | Pack | Price | Per tablet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2mg | 25 tablets | $153.00 | $6.12 |
| 2mg | 50 tablets | $301.50 | $6.03 |
| 2mg | 75 tablets | $446.25 | $5.95 |
| 2mg | 100 tablets | $587.00 | $5.87 |
| 2mg | 125 tablets | $717.50 | $5.74 |
| 2mg | 150 tablets | $828.00 | $5.52 |
- Category
- Oncology Support
- Active ingredient
- Melphalan
- Route
- Oral
- Form
- Tablet
- Strengths
- 2mg
Shipped in a discreet, unmarked envelope.
Details
- Conditions
- Multiple myeloma · Ovarian cancer
- Therapeutic Class
- Alkylating Agent
- Pharmacological Class
- Nitrogen mustard
- Minor Side Effects
- Nausea, Stomatitis
- Moderate Side Effects
- Bone marrow suppression
- Dosage Forms
- Tablet
- Administration Route
- Oral
- Manufacturer
- Various
- Duration
- Per cycle
- Storage Instructions
- Follow hospital or pharmacy storage guidance.
- Drug Interactions
- Vaccines, Immunosuppressants
- Age Restrictions
- Adult oncology use.
FAQ
Which Alkacel strengths and pack sizes can I order?
Alkacel tablets come in 2mg, in packs of 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 or 150. Larger packs cost less per tablet.
What happens if my Alkacel parcel goes missing in Hong Kong?
Alkacel orders to Hong Kong ship in plain, unbranded packaging. Very large orders may be split into several parcels. If a parcel does not arrive within the delivery window, or arrives damaged, it is sent again free; if that is not possible, the order is refunded.
Does Alkacel have other names?
Alkacel is a branded generic of melphalan. Melphalan is also sold as Alkeran. Here, melphalan can be bought online as Alkacel. These are generics, not the original brand.
Is Alkacel the same medicine as Alkeran?
Both contain melphalan, and both come as tablets, but they are sold under different brand names. Alkeran is the older brand; Alkacel is the 2mg melphalan tablet sold here. The active ingredient is the same, whatever is printed on the box.
Can I have a flu vaccine while taking Alkacel?
The nasal flu spray is not used during melphalan treatment, because it holds a weakened live virus. The flu vaccine given by injection contains no live virus, so that is the form used instead. Other live vaccines, such as MMR and chickenpox, are also left until the course is over.
Will my hair grow back after Alkacel?
Hair that thins or falls out during melphalan treatment usually grows back once the course ends. Regrowth is gradual, and it may be a few months before the new hair looks as full as it did before.
Is melphalan available as an injection?
Melphalan is also made as an injection, given into a vein in hospital for some cancers and for higher doses. Alkacel is the tablet form, 2mg, taken by mouth at home. Which form is used depends on the cancer and the treatment plan.
About Alkacel
A melphalan tablet for myeloma and ovarian cancer
Alkacel is melphalan 2mg tablets, a chemotherapy medicine. It is used for multiple myeloma, a cancer that begins in the bone marrow, and for ovarian cancer that cannot be removed by surgery. Melphalan also has a place in amyloidosis, where an abnormal protein collects in organs and tissues, and in some other cancers.
What melphalan does to cancer cells
Melphalan belongs to the alkylating group of chemotherapy medicines. It gets inside cancer cells and binds to their DNA, linking the two strands so the genetic code can no longer be copied. A cell that cannot copy its DNA cannot divide, and it dies. This damage does not wait for one particular stage of cell division, so melphalan reaches cancer cells at any point in their life cycle.
Taking Alkacel
Each tablet is swallowed whole with a glass of water on an empty stomach. Taking it first thing and holding breakfast back until afterwards is the usual routine, once a day.
Alkacel is 2mg and nothing else, so a bigger dose means more tablets rather than a stronger one. The plan sets the count person by person. How many weeks or months follow depends on the cancer, any chemotherapy given alongside, and how the disease responds.
Side effects and blood counts
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, loss of appetite and heavy tiredness are the usual complaints in the days after a dose. Hair may thin or fall out.
The bone marrow is where melphalan's effect shows most. Output of red cells, white cells and platelets slows, so anaemia, infection and easy bleeding become more likely while treatment continues.
Fever, a sore throat, unexplained bruising or bleeding, or black tarry stools need urgent treatment.
Vaccines, pregnancy and fertility
Live vaccines are not given while blood counts are low. The nasal flu spray, MMR and chickenpox vaccines each contain a weakened virus.
Melphalan can harm an unborn baby, so it is not used in pregnancy. Periods may stop during treatment, and sperm production can fall; for some men the change is permanent.
Sources
- Melphalan: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Myeloma - Cancer Australia — Cancer Australia