Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Regimen Library
PCN MM - MP [melphalan and preDNISone]
Treatment Overview
Cycles 1 to 12 - 42 days
Cycle details
Cycles 1 to 12 - 42 days
| Medication | Dose | Route | Days | Max Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| prEDNISone | 100 mg flat dosing Once daily | oral administration | 1 to 4 | |
| melphalan | 9 mg/m² Once daily | oral administration | 1 to 4 |
Full details
Cycles 1 to 12 - 42 days
Day: 1
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| prEDNISone | 100 mg flat dosing Once daily | oral administration |
Instructions:
Take in the morning with food. |
|
| melphalan | 9 mg/m² Once daily | oral administration |
Instructions:
Swallow whole with a large glass of water. Take at the same time of day and same timing in relation to food. Absorption of melphalan is highly variable and can be reduced by food. KEEP IN FRIDGE - DO NOT FREEZE. Round dose to closest multiple of 2 mg tablets. |
Day: 2
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| prEDNISone | 100 mg flat dosing Once daily | oral administration |
Instructions:
Take in the morning with food. |
|
| melphalan | 9 mg/m² Once daily | oral administration |
Instructions:
Swallow whole with a large glass of water. Take at the same time of day and same timing in relation to food. Absorption of melphalan is highly variable and can be reduced by food. KEEP IN FRIDGE - DO NOT FREEZE. Round dose to closest multiple of 2 mg tablets. |
Day: 3
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| prEDNISone | 100 mg flat dosing Once daily | oral administration |
Instructions:
Take in the morning with food. |
|
| melphalan | 9 mg/m² Once daily | oral administration |
Instructions:
Swallow whole with a large glass of water. Take at the same time of day and same timing in relation to food. Absorption of melphalan is highly variable and can be reduced by food. KEEP IN FRIDGE - DO NOT FREEZE. Round dose to closest multiple of 2 mg tablets. |
Day: 4
| Medication | Dose | Route | Max duration | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| prEDNISone | 100 mg flat dosing Once daily | oral administration |
Instructions:
Take in the morning with food. |
|
| melphalan | 9 mg/m² Once daily | oral administration |
Instructions:
Swallow whole with a large glass of water. Take at the same time of day and same timing in relation to food. Absorption of melphalan is highly variable and can be reduced by food. KEEP IN FRIDGE - DO NOT FREEZE. Round dose to closest multiple of 2 mg tablets. |
Supportive Care Factors
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Antiviral prophylaxis for herpes virus: | Routine antiviral prophylaxis may be considered |
| Emetogenicity: | Minimal to low |
| Gastroprotection: | Gastroprotection may be considered |
| Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis: | Routine antibiotic prophylaxis may be considered |
| Tumour lysis syndrome prophylaxis: | Tumour lysis syndrome prophylaxis may be considered |
Antiviral prophylaxis for hepatitis B virus: Guidance is limited to high-risk anti-cancer medicines. Clinicians will need to assess individual patient risk for other anti-cancer medicines.
References
Healthcare Logistics Alkeran New Zealand Medicine Datasheet 28 September 2021 https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/a/alkerantab.pdf
Regimen details sometimes vary slightly from the published literature after recommendation by expert committee consensus.
* The medicines, doses, combinations, and schedule in this treatment regimen have been carefully reviewed against international best practice guidelines by specialists in medical oncology around New Zealand and this advice has been accepted for publication by Te Aho o Te Kahu (the Cancer Control Agency). Sometimes medicines that are used in routine clinical practice have not been through a formal review process by the NZ Medicines Regulator Medsafe and are therefore considered unapproved or off-label. These medicines are legally able to be prescribed through sections 25 and 29 of the Medicines Act and by obtaining informed consent from patients. All treatment regimens listed on this website have been through robust peer review and are considered an accepted standard of care, whether prescribed through sections 25 or 29 or carrying formal Medsafe Approval.
s29: This symbol indicates that some formulations of the associated medicine are legally only able to be prescribed under section 29 of the Medicines Act. You can see which formulations are section 29 by hovering over the s29 symbol. You can access full medication details from the New Zealand Formulary by clicking on the medication name. Each clinician retains full responsibility for ensuring they have complied with all relevant obligations and requirements of section 29 including obtaining informed patient consent prior to prescribing the applicable medicine.