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