Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

  1. Pepaxto

Descriptions


Melphalan flufenamide injection is used in combination with dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer) in patients whose cancer has come back and who have received at least 4 previous treatments (eg, a CD38-directed monoclonal antibody, a proteasome inhibitor, and an immunomodulatory agent) that did not work well.

Melphalan flufenamide belongs to the group of medicines called alkylating agents (cancer medicines). It works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of melphalan flufenamide injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of melphalan flufenamide injection in the elderly.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Anemia or
  • Neutropenia (low number of white blood cells) or
  • Thrombocytopenia (low number of platelets)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Infection—May decrease your ability to fight an infection.

Proper Use

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. It is given through a needle placed into one of your veins. This medicine must be given slowly, so the IV tube will need to stay in place for at least 30 minutes. It is usually given one time for 28 days.

This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

You may receive medicines to help prevent nausea before and during treatment with this medicine.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while you are receiving this medicine to make sure that the medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Receiving this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can bear children, your doctor may give you a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine to make sure you are not pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control while you are receiving this medicine and for at least 6 months after the last dose to keep from getting pregnant. Males who are receiving this medicine, with female partners who can become pregnant, must use effective birth control during and for at least 3 months after the last dose of this medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while receiving the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Some men and women who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

This medicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

  • If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
  • Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
  • Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
  • Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
  • Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
  • Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

This medicine may cause serious infections (eg, respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, sepsis). Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain, chills, confusion, cough, dizziness or lightheadedness, fainting, fast heartbeat, fever, sneezing, sore throat, tightness in the chest, or trouble breathing.

Using this medicine may increase your risk of getting other types of cancer (eg, myelodysplastic syndromes, acute leukemia). Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

  1. Back, arm, or leg pain
  2. black, tarry stools
  3. bleeding gums
  4. blood in the urine or stools
  5. bone pain
  6. chest pain or tightness
  7. constipation
  8. cough
  9. decreased appetite
  10. decreased urine
  11. diarrhea
  12. difficulty in moving
  13. dry mouth
  14. fever or chills
  15. increased thirst
  16. loss of appetite
  17. lower back or side pain
  18. mood or mental changes
  19. muscle pain, cramps, or stiffness
  20. nausea
  21. numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
  22. pain in the joints
  23. painful or difficult urination
  24. pale skin
  25. pinpoint red spots on the skin
  26. seizures
  27. sleeplessness
  28. sneezing
  29. sore throat
  30. stomach cramps
  31. swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
  32. tremor
  33. trouble breathing
  34. ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
  35. unusual bleeding or bruising
  36. unusual tiredness or weakness
  37. vomiting

Less common

  1. Confusion
  2. coughing up blood
  3. difficulty in swallowing
  4. dizziness
  5. fainting
  6. fast heartbeat
  7. headache
  8. increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
  9. lightheadedness
  10. nosebleeds
  11. paralysis
  12. prolonged bleeding from cuts
  13. red or dark brown urine
  14. red or black, tarry stools

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  1. Skin itching, rash, or redness
  2. swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
  3. trouble sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/melphalan-flufenamide-intravenous-route/side-effects/drg-20510824