Definition

Noun: - A chemotherapy medication, specifically a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent, used in the treatment of certain cancers, most notably multiple myeloma. It is known by the trade name Alkeran, and its generic name is melphalan.

Usage

• Alkeran is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to the branded pharmaceutical product. It is typically used in medical contexts.
• It is administered orally or by injection under medical supervision.

Examples

• The patient's treatment regimen includes a course of Alkeran.
• Alkeran is often prescribed for multiple myeloma.
• The oncologist discussed the potential side effects of Alkeran.

Advanced Usage

• Alkeran is part of a class of drugs known as alkylating agents, which work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells to prevent them from dividing.
• It may be used in high-dose regimens prior to a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

Variants and Related Words

• Melphalan: The generic, non-proprietary name for the same drug substance.
• Chemotherapy drug: The general class of medication to which Alkeran belongs.
• Alkylating agent: The specific pharmacological class of Alkeran/melphalan.

Synonyms

• Melphalan (This is the direct synonym, as it is the generic name for the same compound).

Notes

• Alkeran is a trademark. When writing in non-commercial or scientific contexts, the generic name "melphalan" is often preferred.
• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with this proper noun, as it is a specific drug name.

Noun

1. antineoplastic drug (trade name Alkeran) used to treat multiple myeloma and some other malignancies