essays on mesothelioma
pemetrexed (peh meh TREX ed)
What is the most important information I should know about Alimta?
• Alimta should only be administered under the supervision of a qualifiedhealthcare provider experienced in the use of this medication essays on mesothelioma.
• Alimta may cause side effects that could be dangerous or life-threatening essays on mesothelioma. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using Alimta before startingtreatment essays on mesothelioma. Alimta has been reported to cause blood and bone marrow problems(fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bruising or bleeding, black, bloody ortarry stools,); nerve problems (numbness, tingling, pain); stomach problems(nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite); sores in or around the mouth;rash; and others essays on mesothelioma. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of thesesymptoms essays on mesothelioma.
What is Alimta?
• Alimta interferes with the production and maintenance of DNA, which isthe genetic material in the cells of the body essays on mesothelioma. Alimta has a greater effect oncells that reproduce often, like cancer cells essays on mesothelioma. This is how Alimta works in thetreatment of cancer essays on mesothelioma.
• Alimta is used in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, a form of lungcancer associated with exposure to asbestos essays on mesothelioma.
• Alimta may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide essays on mesothelioma.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Alimta?
• Before taking Alimta, 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 essays on mesothelioma.
• You may not be able to take Alimta, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during therapy if you have any of the conditions listedabove essays on mesothelioma.
• Alimta is in the FDA pregnancy category D essays on mesothelioma. This means that Alimta isknown to be harmful to an unborn baby essays on mesothelioma. Do not use Alimta without first talkingto your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment essays on mesothelioma. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatmentwith Alimta essays on mesothelioma.
• Alimta may be harmful to a nursing infant essays on mesothelioma. Breast-feeding is not recommendedduring treatment with Alimta essays on mesothelioma.
How should I take Alimta?
• Alimta should only be administered under the supervision of a qualifiedhealthcare provider experienced in the use of this medication essays on mesothelioma.
• Alimta will be administered as an intravenous (into a vein) injectionby a healthcare provider essays on mesothelioma. Your doctor will determine the correct amount andfrequency of treatment with Alimta essays on mesothelioma. Talk to your doctor if you have any questionsor concerns regarding the treatment schedule essays on mesothelioma.
• If you are injecting Alimta at home, your doctor will give you detailedinstructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the medication essays on mesothelioma.
• Your doctor may prescribe additional medications such as other chemotherapymedicines, a steroid, folic acid, and vitamin B12, to be taken during treatmentwith Alimta essays on mesothelioma. Additional medications may be necessary for adequate treatmentor to reduce the incidence or severity of side effects from treatment with Alimta essays on mesothelioma.
• It is important to use Alimta regularly to get the most benefit essays on mesothelioma.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluationsduring treatment with Alimta to monitor progress and side effects essays on mesothelioma.
• Your healthcare provider will store Alimta as directed by the manufacturer essays on mesothelioma. If you are storing Alimta at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcareprovider essays on mesothelioma.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of Alimta essays on mesothelioma.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected essays on mesothelioma.
• Symptoms of a Alimta overdose may include blood problems, sores in themouth, rash, and diarrhea essays on mesothelioma.
What should I avoid while taking Alimta?
• 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 essays on mesothelioma. In some cases, an NSAID may be taken during treatment with Alimta, but shouldonly be done under the direction of your doctor essays on mesothelioma.
What are the possible side effects of Alimta?
• Alimta may cause side effects that could be dangerous or life-threatening essays on mesothelioma. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using Alimta before startingtreatment essays on mesothelioma. Alimta has been reported to cause blood and bone marrow problems(fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bruising or bleeding, black, bloody ortarry stools); nerve problems (numbness, tingling, pain); stomach problems (nausea,vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite); sores in or around the mouth; rash; andothers essays on mesothelioma. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms essays on mesothelioma.
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergencymedical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of the throat; difficultybreathing; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
· fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bruising or bleeding, black, bloodyor 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 essays on mesothelioma.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur essays on mesothelioma. Continueto take Alimta and notify your doctor if you experience
· mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite;
· depressed mood; or
· fatigue essays on mesothelioma.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur essays on mesothelioma. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome essays on mesothelioma.
What other drugs will affect Alimta?
• 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 essays on mesothelioma. In some cases, an NSAID may be taken during treatment with Alimta, but shouldonly be done under the direction of your doctor essays on mesothelioma.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Alimta essays on mesothelioma. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products essays on mesothelioma.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Alimta written for healthprofessionals that you may read essays on mesothelioma.
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