- Approval Id
- a1eb57eb9cda6dec
- Drug Name
- ALKERAN TABLET 2 mg (Revised formula)
- Product Name
- ALKERAN TABLET 2 mg (Revised formula)
- Approval Number
- SIN11822P
- Approval Date
- 2002-02-26
- Registrant
- DCH AURIGA SINGAPORE
- Licence Holder
- DCH AURIGA SINGAPORE
- Drug Type
- Therapeutic
- Forensic Classification
- Prescription Only
- Dosage Form
- TABLET, FILM COATED
- Dosage
- <p><strong>Dosage and Administration</strong></p>
<p><strong>General</strong></p>
<p><em>ALKERAN</em> is a cytotoxic drug which falls into the general class of alkylating agents. It should be prescribed only by physicians experienced in the management of malignant disease with such agents.</p>
<p>Since <em>ALKERAN</em> is myelosuppressive, frequent blood counts are essential during therapy and the dosage should be delayed or adjusted if necessary (<em>see Warnings and Precautions</em> – <em>please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information</em>).</p>
<p>The absorption of <em>ALKERAN</em> after oral administration is variable. Dosage may need to be cautiously increased until myelosuppression is seen, in order to ensure that potentially therapeutic levels have been reached.</p>
<p><strong>Multiple myeloma</strong></p>
<p>A typical oral dosage schedule is 0.15 mg/kg bodyweight/day in divided doses for 4 days repeated at intervals of 6 weeks. Numerous regimens have, however, been used and the scientific literature should be consulted for details.</p>
<p>The administration of oral <em>ALKERAN</em> and prednisone may be more effective than <em>ALKERAN</em> alone. The combination is usually given on an intermittent basis.</p>
<p>Prolonging treatment beyond one year in responders does not appear to improve results.</p>
<p><strong>Advanced ovarian adenocarcinoma</strong></p>
<p>A typical regimen is 0.2 mg/kg bodyweight/day orally for 5 days. This is repeated every 4 to 8 weeks, or as soon as the peripheral blood count has recovered.</p>
<p><strong>Carcinoma of the breast</strong></p>
<p><em>ALKERAN</em> has been given orally at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg bodyweight or 6 mg/m<sup>2</sup> body surface area/day for 5 days and repeated every 6 weeks. The dose was decreased if bone marrow toxicity was observed.</p>
<p><strong>Polycythaemia rubra vera</strong></p>
<p>For remission induction, doses of 6 to 10 mg daily for 5 to 7 days have been used, after which 2 to 4 mg daily were given until satisfactory disease control was achieved.</p>
<p>A dose of 2 to 6 mg once per week has been used for maintenance therapy.</p>
<p>In view of the possibility of severe myelosuppression if <em>ALKERAN</em> is given on a continuous basis, it is essential that frequent blood counts are taken throughout therapy, with dosage adjustment or breaks in treatment, as appropriate, to maintain careful haematological control.</p>
<p><strong>Use in children</strong></p>
<p><em>ALKERAN</em> within the conventional dosage range, is only rarely indicated in children and absolute dosage guidelines cannot be provided.</p>
<p><strong>Use in the elderly</strong></p>
<p>Although <em>ALKERAN</em> is frequently used at conventional dosage in the elderly, there is no specific information available relating to its administration to this patient subgroup.</p>
<p><strong>Dosage in renal impairment</strong></p>
<p>(<em>See Warnings and Precautions</em> – <em>please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information</em>).</p>
<p><em>ALKERAN</em> clearance, though variable, is decreased in renal impairment.</p>
<p>Currently available pharmacokinetic data do not justify an absolute recommendation on dosage reduction when administering <em>ALKERAN</em> tablets to patients with renal impairment, but it may be prudent to use a reduced dosage initially until tolerance is established.</p>
- Route Of Administration
- ORAL
- Indication Info
- <p><strong>Indications</strong></p>
<p><em>ALKERAN</em> tablets are indicated in the treatment of:</p>
<ul>
<li>multiple myeloma;</li>
<li>advanced ovarian adenocarcinoma;</li>
</ul>
<p><em>ALKERAN</em> tablets may be used in the treatment of:</p>
<ul>
<li>breast carcinoma: <em>ALKERAN</em> either alone or in combination with other drugs has a significant therapeutic effect in a proportion of patients suffering from advanced breast carcinoma;</li>
<li>polycythaemia rubra vera: <em>ALKERAN</em> is effective in the treatment of a proportion of patients suffering from polycythaemia rubra vera.</li>
</ul>
- Contraindications
- <p><strong>Contraindications</strong></p>
<p><em>ALKERAN</em> should not be given to patients who have suffered a previous hypersensitivity reaction to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section <em>LIST OF EXCIPIENTS</em> – <em>please refer to the Product Insert/Patient Information Leaflet published on HSA for the full drug information</em>. Do not take <em>ALKERAN</em> if you are breastfeeding.</p>
- Atc Code
- L01AA03
- Atc Item Name
- melphalan
- Pharma Manufacturer Name
- DCH AURIGA SINGAPORE