Pemetrexed prescription

Pemetrexed

Generic Name: pemetrexed (peh meh TREX ed)
Brand Names: Alimta

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

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Pemetrexed should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of this medication.

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Pemetrexed may cause side effects that could be dangerous or life-threatening. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using pemetrexed before starting treatment. Pemetrexed has been reported to cause blood and bone marrow problems (fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bruising or bleeding, black, bloody or tarry stools,); nerve problems (numbness, tingling, pain); stomach problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite); sores in or around the mouth; rash; and others. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms.

What is pemetrexed?

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Pemetrexed interferes with the production and maintenance of DNA, which is the genetic material in the cells of the body. Pemetrexed has a greater effect on cells that reproduce often, like cancer cells. This is how pemetrexed works in the treatment of cancer.

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Pemetrexed is used in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer associated with exposure to asbestos.

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

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

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Before taking pemetrexed, tell your doctor if you have

kidney disease;

an immune system disorder;

blood or bone marrow problems;

an infection; or

fluid around the lungs or in the abdomen.

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You may not be able to take pemetrexed, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Pemetrexed is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that pemetrexed is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use pemetrexed without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatment with pemetrexed.

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Pemetrexed may be harmful to a nursing infant. Breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with pemetrexed.

How should I take pemetrexed?

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Pemetrexed should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of this medication.

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Pemetrexed will be administered as an intravenous (into a vein) injection by a healthcare provider. Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with pemetrexed. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

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If you are injecting pemetrexed at home, your doctor will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the medication.

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Your doctor may prescribe additional medications such as other chemotherapy medicines, a steroid, folic acid, and vitamin B12, to be taken during treatment with pemetrexed. Additional medications may be necessary for adequate treatment or to reduce the incidence or severity of side effects from treatment with pemetrexed.

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It is important to use pemetrexed regularly to get the most benefit.

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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with pemetrexed to monitor progress and side effects.

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Your healthcare provider will store pemetrexed as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing pemetrexed at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of pemetrexed.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

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Symptoms of a pemetrexed overdose may include blood problems, sores in the mouth, rash, and diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking pemetrexed?

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Do not take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), and others except under the direction of your doctor. In some cases, an NSAID may be taken during treatment with pemetrexed, but should only be done under the direction of your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of pemetrexed?

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Pemetrexed may cause side effects that could be dangerous or life-threatening. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using pemetrexed before starting treatment. Pemetrexed has been reported to cause blood and bone marrow problems (fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bruising or bleeding, black, bloody or tarry stools); nerve problems (numbness, tingling, pain); stomach problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite); sores in or around the mouth; rash; and others. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms.

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; difficulty breathing; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);

fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bruising or bleeding, black, bloody or tarry stools (possible blood problems);

numbness or tingling (possible nerve problems);

severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite;

skin rash; or

sores in the mouth.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take pemetrexed and notify your doctor if you experience

mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite;

depressed mood; or

fatigue.

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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?

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with pemetrexed. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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

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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.

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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.

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