Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Melphalan is dosed at 0.05–0.1 mg/kg PO q24h x 10 days, then q48h in dogs, per MELPHALAN HYDROCHLORIDE Kit [US Product Label]. Princeton, NJ: Fosun Pharma USA Inc; 2019.; ALKERAN - Melphalan Tablet, Film Coated [US Human Product Label]. Weston, FL: ApoPharma USA, In; 2017. (the 10-day regimen sentence itself carries no superscript; the neighbouring general-guide sentence '...1.5 - 2 mg/m2 (NOT mg/kg) or 0.1 - 0.2 mg/kg in dogs, but higher dosages have been used.8,9' carries refs 8 and 9) — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.857 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.829, Melphalan monograph spanning p.829-830; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207; Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia — ISBN 9780813811833, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780813811833. Melphalan is used in dogs for Multiple myeloma. Routes documented in dogs: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Melphalan in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Alkeran
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.05–0.1 mg/kg | q24h x 10 days, then q48h | Long-term | Multiple myeloma | Strong | MELPHALAN HYDROCHLORIDE Kit [US Product Label]. Princeton, NJ: Fosun Pharma USA Inc; 2019.; ALKERAN - Melphalan Tablet, Film Coated [US Human Product Label]. Weston, FL: ApoPharma USA, In; 2017. (the 10-day regimen sentence itself carries no superscript; the neighbouring general-guide sentence '...1.5 - 2 mg/m2 (NOT mg/kg) or 0.1 - 0.2 mg/kg in dogs, but higher dosages have been used.8,9' carries refs 8 and 9) — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.857 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.829, Melphalan monograph spanning p.829-830; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207; Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia — ISBN 9780813811833, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780813811833 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
The sources disagree for this combination. The ranges below do not overlap on a comparable route. This is not an error in one of them — published veterinary references differ, and reconciling them for a particular patient is a clinical judgement.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.268 | 1-2 weeks then reduce to 2-4 mg/m2 p.o. q48h. Or 0.1 mg/kg p.o. q24h for 10 days then 0.05 mg/kg p.o. q24-48h thereafter. Or 7 mg/m2/day (rounded to |
| 0.05 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.268 | mg/m2 p.o. q48h. Or 0.1 mg/kg p.o. q24h for 10 days then 0.05 mg/kg p.o. q24-48h thereafter. Or 7 mg/m2/day (rounded to the nearest whole 2 mg tab |
| 0.1–0.2 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.519 | • 1.5 mg/m2 (or 0.1-0.2 mg/kg) q24h PO for 7-10 days (repeat every 3 weeks) or |
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Bifunctional alkylating agent forming DNA interstrand crosslinks. Cell-cycle non-specific. Phenylalanine derivative of nitrogen mustard.
Delayed and cumulative myelosuppression. Take on empty stomach. Used for multiple myeloma, various carcinomas. Handle with gloves — vesicant. Carcinogenic to handlers.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Melphalan dose range in dogs, with cited source references: PO 0.05–0.1 mg/kg q24h x 10 days, then q48h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Melphalan in dogs: PO.
Cited course lengths for Melphalan in dogs include: Long-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Melphalan is indicated in dogs for: Multiple myeloma.
These are general warnings for Melphalan across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Delayed and cumulative myelosuppression. Take on empty stomach. Used for multiple myeloma, various carcinomas. Handle with gloves — vesicant. Carcinogenic to handlers.
Why a species-specific page? Melphalan pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.
| Dose (mg/m2) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.519 | • 1.5 mg/m2 (or 0.1-0.2 mg/kg) q24h PO for 7-10 days (repeat every 3 weeks) or |
| 7 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.519 | administer 7 mg/m2 q24h, PO, for 5 days. Repeat this cycle every 21 days. |
| 16 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.519 | • Injectable forms have not been used in animals, but in humans, 16 mg/m2 IV |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.