Melphalan
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Evomela
- Brand Names
- Evomela
- Dosage Form
- POWDER
- Product Type
- BULK INGREDIENT
⚠ Boxed Warning (Black Box)
WARNING: SEVERE BONE MARROW SUPPRESSION, HYPERSENSITIVITY, and LEUKEMOGENICITY Severe bone marrow suppression with resulting infection or bleeding may occur. Controlled trials comparing intravenous (IV) melphalan to oral melphalan have shown more myelosuppression with the IV formulation. Monitor hematologic laboratory parameters. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in approximately 2% of patients who received the IV formulation of melphalan. Discontinue treatment with Evomela for serious hypersensitivity reactions. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Melphalan produces chromosomal aberrations in vitro and in vivo. Evomela should be considered potentially leukemogenic in humans. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] WARNING: SEVERE BONE MARROW SUPPRESSION, HYPERSENSITIVITY, AND LEUKEMOGENICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Severe bone marrow suppression with resulting infection or bleeding may occur. Controlled trials comparing intravenous (IV) melphalan to oral melphalan have shown more myelosuppression with the IV formulation. Monitor hematologic laboratory parameters. ( 5.1 ) Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in approximately 2% of patients who received the IV formulation of melphalan. Discontinue treatment with Evomela for serious hypersensitivity reactions. ( 5.4 ) Melphalan produces chromosomal aberrations in vitro and in vivo . Evomela should be considered potentially leukemogenic in humans. ( 5.5 )
Description
11 DESCRIPTION Evomela contains melphalan hydrochloride, an alkylating drug, as the active ingredient. The chemical name of melphalan hydrochloride is 4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-L-phenylalanine hydrochloride. Its molecular formula is C 13 H 18 Cl 2 N 2 O 2
What Is Melphalan Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Evomela is an alkylating drug indicated for use as a high-dose conditioning treatment prior to hematopoietic progenitor (stem) cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma. ( 1.1 ) 1.1 Multiple Myeloma-Conditioning Treatment Evomela is indicated for use as a high-dose conditioning treatment prior to hematopoietic progenitor (stem) cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma.
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For Conditioning Treatment , the recommended dose of Evomela is 100 mg/m 2 /day administered over 30 minutes by intravenous infusion for 2 consecutive days (Day -3 and Day -2) prior to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT, Day 0). ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage for Conditioning Treatment The recommended dose of Evomela for conditioning treatment is 100 mg/m 2 /day administered over 30 minutes by intravenous infusion for 2 consecutive days (Day -3 and Day -2) prior to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT, Day 0). For patients who weigh more than 130% of their ideal body weight, body surface area should be calculated based on adjusted ideal body weight. Administer prophylactic antiemetics [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . 2.2 Preparation and Administration Evomela is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures 1 . Evomela is light sensitive. Retain in original carton until use. Do not mix Evomela with other melphalan hydrochloride for injection drug products. Reconstitution and Infusion Instructions: 1. Use 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (8.6 mL as directed) to reconstitute Evomela and make a 50 mg/10 mL (5 mg/ mL) nominal concentration of melphalan. The reconstituted Evomela drug product is stable for 24 hours at refrigerated temperature (5 o C) without any precipitation due to the high solubility. The reconstituted Evomela drug product is stable for 1 hour at room temperature. 2. Calculate the required volume of Evomela needed for a patient’s dose and withdraw that volume from the vial(s). 3. Add the required volume of Evomela to the appropriate volume of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP to a final concentration of 0.45 mg/mL. The Evomela admixture solution is stable for 4 hours at room temperature in addition to the 1 hour following reconstitution. 4. Infuse over 30 minutes via an injection port or central venous catheter. Evomela may cause local tissue damage should extravasation occur. Do not administer by direct injection into a peripheral vein. Administer Evomela by injecting slowly into a fast-running IV infusion via a central venous access line. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions observed in at least 50% of patients treated with Evomela are neutrophil count decreased, white blood cell count decreased, lymphocyte count decreased, platelet count decreased, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, hypokalemia, anemia, and vomiting. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Acrotech Biopharma Inc. at 1-888-292-9617 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch The following serious adverse reactions are described in more detail in other sections of the prescribing information.
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted. The development of severe renal impairment has been reported in patients treated with a single dose of intravenous melphalan 140-250 mg/m 2 followed by standard oral doses of cyclosporine. Intravenous melphalan may also reduce the threshold for BCNU lung toxicity.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS History of serious allergic reaction to melphalan. History of serious allergic reaction to melphalan
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on its mechanism of action, Evomela can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, including teratogenicity and/or embryo-fetal lethality [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )] . Melphalan is a genotoxic drug and can cause chromatid or chromosome damage in humans [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] . In animal studies, melphalan was embryolethal and teratogenic in rats at doses below the recommended clinical doses [see Data] . Advise a pregnant woman of the potential risk to a fetus.. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. However, the background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2-4% and of miscarriage is 15-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Data Animal Data Adequate animal studies have not been conducted with intravenous melphalan. Melphalan was embryolethal and teratogenic in rats following oral administration of 6 to 18 mg/m 2 /day for 10 days (0.06 to 0.18 times the highest recommended clinical dose of 100 mg/m 2 /day) and intraperitoneal administration of 18 mg/m 2 (0.18 times the highest recommended clinical dose). Malformations resulting from melphalan administration included alterations of the brain (underdevelopment, deformation, meningocele, and encephalocele) and eye (anophthalmia and microphthalmos), reduction of the mandible and tail, and hepatocele (exomphaly).
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE Overdoses resulting in death have been reported with melphalan. Overdoses, including doses up to 290 mg/m 2 , have produced the following symptoms: severe nausea and vomiting, decreased consciousness, convulsions, muscular paralysis, and cholinomimetic effects. Severe mucositis, stomatitis, colitis, diarrhea, and hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal tract occur at high doses (>100 mg/m 2 ). Elevations in liver enzymes and veno-occlusive disease occur infrequently. Significant hyponatremia, caused by an associated inappropriate secretion of ADH syndrome, has been observed. Nephrotoxicity and adult respiratory distress syndrome have been reported rarely. The principal toxic effect is bone marrow suppression leading to leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia. Hematologic parameters should be closely followed for 3 to 6 weeks. An uncontrolled study suggests that administration of autologous bone marrow or hematopoietic growth factors (i.e., sargramostim, filgrastim) may shorten the period of pancytopenia. General supportive measures together with appropriate blood transfusions and antibiotics should be instituted as deemed necessary by the physician. This drug is not removed from plasma to any significant degree by hemodialysis or hemoperfusion. A pediatric patient survived a 254 mg/m 2 overdose treated with standard supportive care.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING How Supplied Evomela is supplied in a single carton containing one (1) vial. Each 50 mg vial contains a white to off- white lyophilized powder in single-dose vial for reconstitution (after reconstitution the solution is clear and coloress to light yellow). Each vial contains 50 mg melphalan free base equivalent to 56 mg melphalan hydrochloride. NDC 72893-001-01: Individual carton of Evomela single-dose vial containing 50 mg melphalan free base. Storage and Handling Store Evomela at room temperature 25°C (77°F). Temperature excursions are permitted between 15- 30°C (59-86°F). [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] Evomela is light sensitive. Retain in original carton until use. Melphalan is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.