lung cancerand alimta
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 lung cancerand alimta.
• Alimta may cause side effects that could be dangerous or life-threatening lung cancerand alimta. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using Alimta before startingtreatment lung cancerand alimta. 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 lung cancerand alimta. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of thesesymptoms lung cancerand alimta.
What is Alimta?
• Alimta interferes with the production and maintenance of DNA, which isthe genetic material in the cells of the body lung cancerand alimta. Alimta has a greater effect oncells that reproduce often, like cancer cells lung cancerand alimta. This is how Alimta works in thetreatment of cancer lung cancerand alimta.
• Alimta is used in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, a form of lungcancer associated with exposure to asbestos lung cancerand alimta.
• Alimta may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide lung cancerand alimta.
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 lung cancerand alimta.
• 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 lung cancerand alimta.
• Alimta is in the FDA pregnancy category D lung cancerand alimta. This means that Alimta isknown to be harmful to an unborn baby lung cancerand alimta. Do not use Alimta without first talkingto your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment lung cancerand alimta. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatmentwith Alimta lung cancerand alimta.
• Alimta may be harmful to a nursing infant lung cancerand alimta. Breast-feeding is not recommendedduring treatment with Alimta lung cancerand alimta.
How should I take Alimta?
• Alimta should only be administered under the supervision of a qualifiedhealthcare provider experienced in the use of this medication lung cancerand alimta.
• Alimta will be administered as an intravenous (into a vein) injectionby a healthcare provider lung cancerand alimta. Your doctor will determine the correct amount andfrequency of treatment with Alimta lung cancerand alimta. Talk to your doctor if you have any questionsor concerns regarding the treatment schedule lung cancerand alimta.
• If you are injecting Alimta at home, your doctor will give you detailedinstructions regarding preparation, administration, and storage of the medication lung cancerand alimta.
• Your doctor may prescribe additional medications such as other chemotherapymedicines, a steroid, folic acid, and vitamin B12, to be taken during treatmentwith Alimta lung cancerand alimta. Additional medications may be necessary for adequate treatmentor to reduce the incidence or severity of side effects from treatment with Alimta lung cancerand alimta.
• It is important to use Alimta regularly to get the most benefit lung cancerand alimta.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluationsduring treatment with Alimta to monitor progress and side effects lung cancerand alimta.
• Your healthcare provider will store Alimta as directed by the manufacturer lung cancerand alimta. If you are storing Alimta at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcareprovider lung cancerand alimta.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of Alimta lung cancerand alimta.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected lung cancerand alimta.
• Symptoms of a Alimta overdose may include blood problems, sores in themouth, rash, and diarrhea lung cancerand alimta.
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 lung cancerand alimta. In some cases, an NSAID may be taken during treatment with Alimta, but shouldonly be done under the direction of your doctor lung cancerand alimta.
What are the possible side effects of Alimta?
• Alimta may cause side effects that could be dangerous or life-threatening lung cancerand alimta. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of using Alimta before startingtreatment lung cancerand alimta. 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 lung cancerand alimta. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms lung cancerand alimta.
• 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 lung cancerand alimta.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur lung cancerand alimta. Continueto take Alimta and notify your doctor if you experience
· mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite;
· depressed mood; or
· fatigue lung cancerand alimta.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur lung cancerand alimta. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome lung cancerand alimta.
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 lung cancerand alimta. In some cases, an NSAID may be taken during treatment with Alimta, but shouldonly be done under the direction of your doctor lung cancerand alimta.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Alimta lung cancerand alimta. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products lung cancerand alimta.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Alimta written for healthprofessionals that you may read lung cancerand alimta.
|
