What is Alimta: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. The medicine must be given slowly, so the needle will have to stay in place for at least 10 minutes.

Your doctor will give you other medicines (including folic acid, vitamin B12, steroid medicine) before you receive this medicine and during treatment to help prevent unwanted effects. Follow your doctor's instructions on how and when to take these medicines.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

You may need to do the following during treatment to help prevent gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes, anemia, and other side effects. Take a folic acid supplement or a multivitamin that contains folic acid. Begin taking folic acid at least 5 days before your first injection, and continue to take it for at least 21 days after your final injection. Ask your doctor what dose to take. Your doctor will give you a vitamin B12 injection in the week before your first treatment, and then about every 9 weeks while you receive treatment. Your doctor will give you a steroid medicine to take the day before, the day of, and the day after each injection.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Your doctor will give you other medicines (including folic acid, vitamin B12, steroid medicine) before you receive this medicine and during treatment to help prevent unwanted effects. Follow your doctor's instructions on how and when to take these medicines.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. The medicine must be given slowly, so the needle will have to stay in place for at least 10 minutes.

You may need to do the following during treatment to help prevent gastrointestinal problems, skin rashes, anemia, and other side effects. Take a folic acid supplement or a multivitamin that contains folic acid. Begin taking folic acid at least 5 days before your first injection, and continue to take it for at least 21 days after your final injection. Ask your doctor what dose to take. Your doctor will give you a vitamin B12 injection in the week before your first treatment, and then about every 9 weeks while you receive treatment. Your doctor will give you a steroid medicine to take the day before, the day of, and the day after each injection.

Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to pemetrexed, or if you are pregnant.

Injection routeIt is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Female patients should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 3 months after the last dose.

Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine and for at least 1 week after the last dose.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or bone marrow problems (including anemia). Tell your doctor if you have received radiation treatment.

This medicine may cause the following problems:Kidney problemSerious skin reactionsLung or breathing problems (including interstitial pneumonitis)

If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some men receiving this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

Unusual bleeding, bruising, weakness

Some medicines can affect how pemetrexed works. If you have kidney problems, tell your doctor if you are using an NSAID or pain or arthritis medicine, including ibuprofen. Do not take ibuprofen at least 2 days before or 2 days after receiving this medicine.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding or have kidney disease, liver disease, or bone marrow problems (anemia).

This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Cancer medicines can cause diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting in most people, sometimes even after receiving medicines to prevent it. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control these side effects.