All about Pemetrexed

What is Pemetrexed Injection?

Pemetrexed (Alimta) is a chemo or anticancer drug. Chemotherapy is treatment with one or more anticancer drugs that are intended to kill cancer cells.
Specifically, this medicine work by interfering with the activity of three enzymes that are required in order to help cancer grow.

What are the Indications of Pemetrexed:

This chemotherapy medication is approved:

• for the treatment of advanced nonsquamous NSCLC together with cisplatin. 
• for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma together with cisplatin. 

How is Pemetrexed given?

It is crucial to take folic acid by mouth and receive vitamin B12 injections during the pemetrexed dosage in order to lower the risk of harmful side effects. 
Your doctor will recommend corticosteroid to take 2 times a day for 3 days, beginning the day prior to each treatment with this drug.
Pemetrexed should be given to you by intravenous (IV) infusion (injection) into your vein. The infusion should be given over 10 minutes. You will usually receive this medicine once every 21 days.

Dosage Recommendations:

Pemetrexed in Combination use with Cisplatin for Adults: Pemetrexed's recommended dose is 500 mg/m2 as body surface area, which should be given as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes on the first day of each 21-day cycle.
Cisplatin's recommended dose is 75 mg/m2 body surface area, should be infused over 2 hours approximately 30 minutes following completion of infusion on the first day of each 21-day cycle. Patients must receive adequate anti-emetic treatment as well as appropriate hydration prior to or after taking cisplatin.
Single Agent Pemetrexed for Adults: The recommended dose of pemetrexed is 500 mg/m2 body surface area given as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes on the first day of each 21-day cycle.

Possible side effects:

Like all other drugs, this may also cause some side effects, although not every patients gets them.
You must report your healthcare provider if you observe any of the following:
Very common side effects with pemetrexed 500 mg may include:

• Infection
• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea 
• Nausea
• Skin rash
• Flaking skin
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Low white blood cells
• Low haemoglobin level 

The common pemetrexed side effects include:

• Blood infection
• Low platelet count
• Allergic reaction
• Loss of body fluids
• Taste change
• Dizziness
• Dry eye
• Watery eyes
• Swelling of the eyelids
• Cardiac Failure
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Increased skin pigmentation
• Itchy skin
• Hair loss
• Hives
• Kidney stop working
• Fever
• Pain
• Chest pain
• Reduced functionality of kidney 

Warning & Precautions:

1. Males with female partners who may become pregnant should use effective birth control during alimta treatment. 
2. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with pemetrexed 100 mg and for 1 week after the final dose.
3. Inform your doctor about all of the medications you take, including herbal supplements, vitamins, prescription and over-the-counter medicines. 
4. Tell your healthcare team if you have kidney problems and take ibuprofen containing drug. 
5. Avoid taking ibuprofen for a couple of days prior to, the day of, and a couple of days after receiving treatment with pemetrexed 500 mg. 

FAQ

Who should not take Pemetrexed?

This medication may not be appropriate for some patients. If you are allergic to it, inform your healthcare professionals because you should not receive it. It is unknown if the pemetrexed 100 mg is safe as well as effective in children.

What should I do in Drug Overdose: If drug overdose occurs, general supportive measures must be instituted as deemed necessary by the treating healthcare team. 

What should I do in case of Missed Dose: Do not take a couple of doses in order to make up for a missed dose. Take your dose very next day as usual time or you can contact to your healthcare provider in order to know more about missed dose. 

What is the best price of Pemetrexed? 
In India, the pemetrexed price is comparatively reasonable. Any WHO-GDP & ISO certified pharmaceutical wholesaler company may give best price for this medication. 

What is the brand name of Pemetrexed? 
Alimta is the brand name of Pemetrexed. 

Is Pemetrexed chemotherapy medication? 
Yes, Pemetrexed specifically is a chemotherapy medication. 

How should Pemetrexed be administered? 
Pemetrexed injection should be administered by a healthcare provider in a medical office or infusion center. Pemetrexed should usually be administered once every three weeks.

Does Pemetrexed cause hair loss? 
Hairs may thin out, though it is unlikely you will lose all of the hair on your head. Hair loss generally initiates following the 1'st or 2'nd cycle of chemo. It is temporary, and the hair will continue to grow following the completion of chemotherapy.

How long can Individuals take pemetrexed?
Individuals might have 4-6 treatments, taking 3-6 months in total. You have the following to reduce the adverse reactions of pemetrexed and cisplatin. Folic acid tablets should be taken starting five days prior to the start of treatment, continuing throughout treatment, and for the weeks after the end of treatment.

NOTE: The piece of information mentioned about "ALL ABOUT PEMETREXED" in this article is just for the informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis of a qualified healthcare professional.