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Alimta, |Alimta

Alimta

Generic Name: pemetrexed (pem e TREX ed)
Brand Names: Alimta

What is pemetrexed?

Pemetrexed is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Pemetrexed is used to treat mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer associated with exposure to asbestos. Pemetrexed is also used to treat non-small cell lung cancer that has already been treated with other cancer medications.

Pemetrexed may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about pemetrexed?

Before receiving pemetrexed, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney or liver disease, a weak immune system, or excess fluid in the space around your lung, liver, or other internal organs.

Throughout your treatment with pemetrexed, you will need to take folic acid and vitamin B-12 to protect your stomach, blood cells, and bone marrow from the side effects of pemetrexed. You will need to start taking these supplements a week before receiving your first pemetrexed infusion, and will keep taking them for 3 weeks after your treatment ends.

Vitamin B-12 and folic acid are available over the counter. Be sure to take only the forms and strengths of these supplements that your doctor has recommended.

Pemetrexed is usually given every 3 weeks. Your doctor will determine how many treatment cycles you should receive.

Pemetrexed can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Before you receive pemetrexed, tell your doctor if you are taking an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), and others.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving pemetrexed?

Before receiving pemetrexed, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• a weak immune system; or

• excess fluid in the space around your lung, liver, or other internal organs, including pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs) or ascites (fluid around the liver).

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to receive pemetrexed, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

How is pemetrexed given?

Pemetrexed is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 10 minutes to complete.

Throughout your treatment with pemetrexed, you will need to take folic acid and vitamin B-12 to protect your stomach, blood cells, and bone marrow from the side effects of pemetrexed. You will need to start taking these supplements a week before receiving your first pemetrexed infusion, and will keep taking them for 3 weeks after your treatment ends.

Vitamin B-12 and folic acid are available over the counter. Be sure to take only the forms and strengths of these supplements that your doctor has recommended.

Your doctor may also prescribe steroid medications to reduce certain side effects of pemetrexed.

To treat mesothelioma, the pemetrexed injection is usually followed by infusion of cisplatin (Platinol) 30 minutes later. Cisplatin must be given very slowly, and is usually infused over 2 hours.

Pemetrexed is usually given every 3 weeks. Your doctor will determine how many treatment cycles you should receive.

Pemetrexed can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss an appointment to have your pemetrexed injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a pemetrexed overdose may include fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth sores or white patches, and severe diarrhea.

What should I avoid while receiving pemetrexed?

Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Pemetrexed side effects

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

• urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;

• chest pain, trouble breathing;

• swelling, rapid weight gain; or

• urinating more or less than usual, or not at all.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• skin rash;

• numbness or tingling;

• depressed mood;

• sore throat;

• tired feeling;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, loss of appetite; or

• muscle pain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect pemetrexed?

Before receiving irinotecan, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• probenecid (Benemid);

• an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to receive irinotecan or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect irinotecan. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about pemetrexed written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Pemetrexed is available with a prescription under the brand name Alimta as an injection. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.