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Melphalan

Melphalan Side Effects

Jenny Zhang, PharmD, BCOPCydnee Ng, PharmD
Reviewed by Jenny Zhang, PharmD, BCOP, Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on April 7, 2023

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Low blood cell counts
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Mouth ulcers

Less Common Side Effects

  • Liver problems
  • Rash

Melphalan serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Serious infections: repeated fevers, chills, cough, trouble breathing, severe diarrhea, vomiting, painful or frequent urination
  • Serious bleeds: bleeding or bruising that doesn’t stop or go away, large amount of bleeding, blood in the urine, throwing up blood, bloody or black and tarry stool
  • Allergic reactions: throat tightness, trouble breathing, cough, itching or hives, flushing, swelling, chest pain, fast heartbeat, dizziness, fainting

Source: DailyMed

The following Melphalan side effects have also been reported

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

Chest pain

chills

cough or hoarseness

fever

lower back or side pain

painful or difficult urination

shortness of breath

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

swollen glands

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods

back or leg pains

bleeding gums

bloated abdomen or stomach

blurred vision

clay-colored stools

confusion

dark urine

difficult or labored breathing

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

general body swelling

headache

hives, itching, or rash

indigestion

light-colored stools

loss of appetite

nausea and vomiting

noisy breathing

nosebleeds

pain and fullness in right upper abdomen or stomach

pale skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

reddening of the skin, especially around the ears

sore throat

sweating

swelling of eyes, face, hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs

tightness in the chest

unpleasant breath odor

unusual lumps or masses

vomiting of blood

weight gain or loss

yellow eyes or skin

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:

Less common

Indigestion

passing of gas

stomach fullness

Incidence not known

Blue-green to black skin discoloration

hair loss or thinning of the hair

pain, redness, soreness, or sloughing of the skin at the injection site

sores, welting, or blisters

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.

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