List of Treatments for Myeloma

Abecma (Idecabtagene vicleucel)

Overview
Abecma is a therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma after four or more prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent,… read more

Adriamycin (Doxorubicin)

The Adriamycin brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. Generic alternatives may be available.

The Adriamycin brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. Generic alternatives may be available.

Overview

Adriamycin is a…

Alkeran (Melphalan)

Overview
Alkeran is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating multiple myeloma. Alkeran is often combined with other drugs such as Velcade or Thalomid and a corticost… read more

Allogeneic (donor) stem cell transplant

Overview
Stem cell transplant after high-dose chemotherapy is the most common treatment for people when first diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The purpose of a stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma is to replace… read more

Aredia (Pamidronate)

Overview
Aredia is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat and prevent osteolytic (bone) lesions caused by multiple myeloma. Some doctors may also prescribe Aredia for people… read more

Astramorph (Morphine)

Overview
Astramorph is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain that is not responsive to non-narcotics. Astramorph may also be referred to by its drug name, morphine.… read more

Autologous (self) stem cell transplant

Overview
Stem cell transplant after high-dose chemotherapy is the most common treatment for people when first diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The purpose of a stem cell transplant in multiple myeloma is to replace… read more

Avinza (Morphine)

Overview
Avinza is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe pain in cases where long-term, continual pain relief is needed and other treatments are not effective.… read more

Belbuca (Buprenorphine)

Overview
Belbuca is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain in cases where pain is severe enough to require daily, long-term, continual pain relief, and other treatments… read more

BiCNU (Carmustine)

Overview
BiCNU is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating multiple myeloma and other cancers. BiCNU is often combined with other drugs such as corticosteroids.… read more

Blenrep (Belantamab mafodotin-blmf)

The Blenrep brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. Other brand name or generic alternatives may be available.

Overview

Blenrep is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat…

Blood transfusion

Overview
In people with myeloma, cancer cells can crowd the bone marrow, preventing the generation of new blood cells. Myeloma treatments including
chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also destroy bone marrow,… read more

Carvykti (Ciltacabtagene autoleucel)

Overview
Carvykti is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in adults who have already tried at least four lines of therapy.… read more

Chemotherapy

Overview
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with drugs that destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. Some doctors may refer to all medication prescribed for someone with myeloma as chemotherapy. High-dose… read more

Clinical trials

Overview
Depending on several factors, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials studying new treatments for myeloma. Clinical trials are the only way that new treatments for myeloma can be tested.… read more

Codeine

Overview
Codeine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an analgesic (pain reliever) for mild to moderately severe pain. Codeine is available over the counter or by prescription, depending on the… read more

Complementary and alternative therapies

Overview
Complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) are popular with many people who have myeloma. CAT treatments may be used to help relieve myeloma symptoms, reduce side effects of myeloma treatments, and improve… read more

Corticosteroids

Overview
Corticosteroids are a class of prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat inflammation. Corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat people with myeloma.

The most common… read more

Cymbalta (Duloxetine)

Overview
Cymbalta is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression, anxiety, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. In people… read more

Cytarabine

Overview
Cytarabine is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating several types of leukemia. Cytarabine may be prescribed as part of a chemotherapy regimen to treat… read more

Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide)

The Cytoxan brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. Generic alternatives may be available.

Overview

Cytoxan is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating cancers…

Darzalex (Daratumumab)

Overview
Darzalex is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating multiple myeloma in people who have tried other therapies or who are ineligible for autologous stem… read more

Darzalex Faspro (Daratumumab and Hyaluronidase-Fihj)

Overview
Darzalex Faspro is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of multiple myeloma in adults. This treatment is used in combination with other drugs such as bortezomib, lenalidomide…

Dialysis

Overview
In some cases of myeloma, cancer cells secrete abnormal proteins, leading to the development of complications known as amyloidosis and light chain deposition disease. In these conditions, the abnormal proteins… read more

Dilaudid (Hydromorphone)

Overview
Dilaudid is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain in cases where an opioid is appropriate. Dilaudid may be referred to by its drug name, hydromorphone.… read more

Doxepin

Overview
Doxepin is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat insomnia. Doxepin is sometimes prescribed to treat neuropathic pain. In people receiving radiation therapy for… read more

Doxil (Doxorubicin liposomal)

Overview

Doxil is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating cancers including multiple myeloma. In cases of myeloma, Doxil is usually combined with Velcade and…

Duragesic (Fentanyl)

Overview
Duragesic is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain in opioid-tolerant patients. Duragesic is also known by its drug name, fentanyl.

Duragesic is an opioid,… read more

Elavil (Amitriptyline)

Overview
Elavil is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression. Elavil is sometimes prescribed to manage neuropathic pain, a common side effect of myeloma treatment.… read more

Elrexfio (Elranatamab-Bcmm)

Overview
Elrexfio is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who’ve received at least four prior lines of therapy,… read more

Empliciti (Elotuzumab)

Overview
Empliciti is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat multiple myeloma in people who have tried other therapies. Empliciti is often combined with Pomalyst or Re… read more

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Overview
Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Erythropoietin is secreted by the kidneys.

Anemia (low levels of red blood cells) is common in people with myeloma… read more

Evomela (Melphalan)

Overview
Evomela is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating multiple myeloma. Evomela is often combined with other drugs such as Velcade or Thalomid and a corticost… read more

Exalgo (Hydromorphone)

Overview
Exalgo is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe pain in cases where long-term, continual pain relief is needed and other treatments are not effective.… read more

Exercise

Overview
People with myeloma may avoid exercise due to pain, fatigue, weakness, fear of fractures, or self-consciousness about appearance. Exercise may seem especially out of reach to those undergoing or recovering from… read more

Farydak (Panobinostat)

Overview
Farydak is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat multiple myeloma in people who have tried other therapies. Farydak is usually combined with Velcade and a co… read more

Flu and pneumonia vaccinations

Overview
People with myeloma and other types of cancer are at greater risk for severe infections and serious complications from influenza (the flu) and pneumonia. In fact, people with multiple myeloma may be 15 times… read more

Hip replacement

Overview
Hip replacement is surgery to replace one or both hips with artificial joints made from plastic, ceramic, or metal components. Some people with myeloma choose hip replacement to relieve hip pain and increase… read more

Hydrocodone

Overview
Hydrocodone is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain that requires daily, round-the-clock management on a long-term basis, and for which other treatment… read more

Interferon

Overview
Interferon may be referred to more specifically as Interferon alpha-2a or Interferon alpha-2b, or by brand names including Intron A and Roferon-A. In the past, Interferon has been used to modify the immune… read more

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)

Overview
In myeloma, abnormal versions of white blood cells known as plasma B cells proliferate, crowding out healthy cells and forming tumors. Healthy plasma cells secrete proteins called immunoglobulins – also known… read more

Istodax (Romidepsin)

Overview
Istodax is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in people who have already received at least one systemic therapy. Istodax is sometimes… read more

Kyprolis (Carfilzomib)

Overview
Kyprolis is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat multiple myeloma in people who have tried other therapies. Kyprolis is often combined with a corticosteroid… read more

Lyrica (Pregabalin)

Overview
Lyrica is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat fibromyalgia, postherpetic neuralgia, partial onset seizures, and neuropathic pain associated with diabetic… read more

Medical marijuana

Overview
Medical marijuana, also known as medical cannabis, is widely used to treat chronic pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and insomnia, all common symptoms of myeloma or side effects of its treatment.… read more

Mozobil (Plerixafor)

Overview
Mozobil is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Mozobil is also known by its drug name, plerixafor.

Mozobil is a… read more