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