Mechlorethamine Topical

Mechlorethamine Topical is a prescription medication used for the treatment of stage 1A and 1B mycosis fungoides-type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in patients who have received prior skin-directed therapy.

• Mechlorethamine Topical is available under the following different brand names: Valchlor.

Common side effects of Mechlorethamine Topical include:

• diarrhea
• weight loss
• nausea
• headache
• back pain
• flu symptoms
• insomnia
• dizziness
• loss of appetite

Serious side effects of Mechlorethamine Topical include:

• skin redness
• swelling
• itching
• blisters, or ulcers especially on the face, genital area, anus, or skin folds
• hives
• difficulty breathing or swallowing

Rare side effects of Mechlorethamine Topical include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Topical gel

• 0.016% (equivalent to 0.02% mechlorethamine HCl)

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Adult dosage

• Apply a thin film of gel topically to affected areas of the skin once daily

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Mechlorethamine Topical has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Mechlorethamine Topical has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Mechlorethamine Topical has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Mechlorethamine Topical has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Mechlorethamine Topical?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Mechlorethamine Topical?”

Cautions

• Avoid eye exposure; may cause pain, burns, inflammation, photophobia, and blurred vision; blindness and severe irreversible anterior eye injury may occur Avoid direct skin contact with individuals other than the patient; risks of secondary exposure include dermatitis, mucosal injury, and secondary cancers
• Dermatitis occurs commonly; modify the dose if skin toxicity occurs 
• Nonmelanoma skin cancer reported
• Based on its mechanism of action, case reports in humans, and findings in animals, Mechlorethamine Topical can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women
• Alcohol-based gels are flammable

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug is available. case reports of children born with malformations in pregnant women systemically administered mechlorethamine
• Mechlorethamine was teratogenic in animals after a single SC administration
• Lactation
  • Unknown if the drug is distributed in human breast milk; a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, considering the importance of the drug to the mother