What is the most important information I should know about Alkeran?
Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Alkeran can cause serious side effects, including: decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, bloody or black stools, pale or yellowed skin, confusion or weakness); breathing problems; or liver damage (nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice [yellowing of the skin or eyes]). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects.
In some cases, second cancers have been reported to occur during and after treatment with Alkeran. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk and benefit of this medication.
What is Alkeran?
Alkeran is a cancer medication. Alkeran interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Alkeran is used to treat multiple myeloma (a type of blood cancer), cancer of the ovary, and breast cancer.
Alkeran may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Alkeran?
Before using Alkeran, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney disease; or
decreased bone marrow (from other diseases or medications).
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Alkeran, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use Alkeran if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.
This medication can affect fertility (your ability to have children), whether you are a man or a woman.
It is not known whether Alkeran passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not take Alkeran without telling your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
How should I take Alkeran?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take the Alkeran oral tablet with a large glass of water.
Alkeran injection is given through a needle placed into a vein. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.
Tell your doctor right away if any of the Alkeran injection gets on your skin or if you feel pain, burning, or other skin irritation when the medicine is injected.
Alkeran is usually given for a few weeks at a time, followed by a 4-week period off the drug, during which your blood is tested to see how your body responded to the medication. Your doctor will determine how often you use Alkeran and for how long. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Alkeran can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store Alkeran tablets in the refrigerator and protect them from light.
If you store Alkeran injection at home, keep it at room temperature and protect it from heat, moisture, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of Alkeran.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a Alkeran overdose may include severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, bloody or black stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
What should I avoid while taking Alkeran?
Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a “live” vaccine while you are being treated with Alkeran, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you.
What are the possible side effects of Alkeran?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
missed menstrual periods;
unusual lumps or masses;
red skin rash, rapid pulse, pain, weight loss;
breathing problems or a cough that won't go away; or
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, confusion and weakness.
Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
temporary hair loss; or
mild skin itching and rash.
In some cases, second cancers have been reported to occur during and after treatment with Alkeran. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk and benefit in using this medication.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Alkeran?
Before taking Alkeran, tell your doctor if you are being treated with any other medicines that weaken your immune system, such as:
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
radiation therapy;
steroids (prednisone and others); or
another chemotherapy medicine.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Alkeran, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Alkeran. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
