Pemetrexed Disodium, Injection

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is given by IV to treat certain kinds of lung cancer.
• You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer); chemotherapy

Generic and brand names: pemetrexed disodium, injection; Alimta

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat cancer of the lining of the lungs. It is also give to treat non-small cell lung cancer. It is usually given along with cisplatin, another anticancer medicine. It may also be used to treat other types of cancer.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• A blood or bone marrow disorder
• Kidney or liver disease

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by injection into one of your veins. Be sure to keep all your appointments for your injections. If you feel pain or burning where the infusion is being given, tell your healthcare provider right away.

Other medicines (by mouth and by injection) are given before this medicine to help prevent allergic reactions and reduce other side effects. Your provider may prescribe folic acid and vitamin B12 before, during, and after treatment with this medicine. Follow your healthcare provider's directions exactly for any medicines or vitamins. Take only the medicines or vitamins approved by your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

You need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for tests.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

Do not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) without your healthcare provider’s approval. NSAIDs may increase the side effects of this medicine. You may need to avoid taking these medicines for several days before and after you receive this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

This medicine is may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your healthcare provider if these symptoms are severe or do not go away.

This medicine may cause mouth sores. Check with your provider about ways to take care of the health of your mouth.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; severe rash or itching; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Fever; chills; sore throat; cough; shortness of breath; severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; trouble urinating; mouth or lip sores; unusual bruising or bleeding; severe weakness or tiredness; trouble swallowing; unexplained swelling; severe skin redness, peeling, or blisters; numbness or tingling.

Other: Mild nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; constipation; stomach pain; mild tiredness; loss of appetite; hair loss; joint pain.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Amphotericin b (Abelcet, AmBisome, Amphotec)
• Antibiotics such as amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, and vancomycin (Vancocin)
• Aspirin and other salicylates
• Clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo)
• Echinacea
• Immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Astagraf, Prograf, Protopic)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Cambia, Voltaren, Zipsor), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac, nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)
• Probenecid
• Vaccines

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.