Alimta 500mg Injection
Alimta 500mg Injection is given as an injection by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
Alimta 500mg Injection
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Alimta 500mg Injection is used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and maligt pleural mesothelioma.
Alimta 500mg Injection is given as an injection by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and hair loss. This medicine may reduce the number of blood cells (decrease red blood and white blood cells) in your blood, thereby, increasing the susceptibility to infections. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with heart, liver and blood uric acid levels.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if have heart disease, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using.This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.
03Uses
Non-small cell lung cancer
Malignant pleural mesothelioma
04How To Use
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
05How It Works
Alimta 500mg Injection interferes with the growth of DNA and RNA of the cancer cells by substituting their building blocks. It prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
06Benefits
In Non-small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the major kinds of lung cancer and it affects both smokers as well as non-smokers. Alimta 500mg Injection helps treat non-small cell lung cancer and may be given alone or in combination with other medicines. It is a potent and very toxic medicine and you should discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. You should avoid drinking alcohol while having this treatment and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
In Malignant pleural mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the lungs and the inner side of the ribs. It is a very aggressive form of lung cancer. Alimta 500mg Injection is used along with some other medicines to treat this cancer. It kills the cancer cells, and prevents the further multiplication of cancer cells. This restricts the spread of cancer to other unaffected areas. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and consult your doctor if you have any doubts.show moreshow less
07Side Effects
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Neuropathy
Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)
Diarrhea
Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
Fatigue
Rash
Low blood platelets
Hair loss
Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
Loss of appetite
Sore throat
Vomiting
Nausea
08Safety Information
Alcohol:SAFE
Consuming alcohol with Alimta 500mg Injection does not cause any harmful side effects.
Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Alimta 500mg Injection is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding:CAUTION
Alimta 500mg Injection should be used with caution during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should be held until the treatment of the mother is completed and the drug is eliminated from her body.
Driving:UNSAFE
Alimta 500mg Injection may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.Alimta 500mg Injection may make you feel tired and this may affect your ability to drive.
Kidney:CAUTION
Alimta 500mg Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Alimta 500mg Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Alimta 500mg Injection is not recommended in patients with moderate to severe kidney disease.
Liver:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Alimta 500mg Injection is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Alimta 500mg Injection may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
09Drug Tips
Use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine.
Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, rash or severe diarrhea.
References
Sources and references
Chu E, Sartorelli AC. Cancer Chemotherapy. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 946.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. p. 1077.
Pemetrexed disodium. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Eli Lilly and Company Limited; 2004 . view
Pemetrexed. Indianapolis, Indiana: Lilly USA; 2004 . view
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation . view
