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Questions and Answers for
Alimta (pemetrexed for injection)
1.
What is Alimta (pemetrexed for injection)?
Alimta is a
new cancer drug used to
treat
malignant pleural mesothelioma. Alimta is given with cisplatin,
another anti-cancer medicine.
2. What is malignant pleural mesothelioma?
Malignant
pleural mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the inside
lining of the chest cavity. It is usually associated with asbestos
exposure.
3.
What is asbestos and who is at risk for asbestos exposure?
Asbestos is a
material made of mineral fibers that has been used by the
construction and building industry for many years. Since asbestos
is not affected by heat or chemicals and does not conduct
electricity it was often used as insulation.
Nearly
everyone is exposed to asbestos at some time during his or her
life. However, most people do not become ill from their exposure.
People who become ill from asbestos are usually those who are
exposed to it on a regular basis, most often in a job where they
work directly with the material and who inhale fibers that are in
the air. The risk of developing asbestos-related diseases varies
with the type of industry in which the exposure occurred, the kind
and size of fibers, and with the amount of exposure. For more
information on asbestos visit:
http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/3_21.htm
4. How
does Alimta work?
Alimta works
by blocking specific enzymes thought to play a role in the rapid
growth of these lung tumors.
5. Is
Alimta a cure for malignant pleural mesothelioma?
No, but in
clinical trials patients
who were treated with Alimta and cisplatin had a
median survival of 12.1 months compared to 9.3 months for patients
treated with cisplatin alone.
6. How
is Alimta given?
Alimta is
given intravenously (into a vein), about every 21 days. Cisplatin
is then infused about 30 minutes after Alimta treatment.
To lower the chances of side effects with Alimta, it is necessary to take folic acid and
vitamin B12 before, during, and after treatment.
7.
What should I tell my doctor before being treated with Alimta?
To help your
doctor decide if Alimta is right for you, tell your doctor if you:
-
plan to
become pregnant, or if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or
do not use effective birth control, because Alimta may harm your
unborn baby.
-
have kidney
problems.
-
are taking
other medicines, including prescription and non-prescription
medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Tell your doctor or
health care provider if you are taking NSAIDs (nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs). Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
are not sure, because there are many NSAID medicines.
8.
What are the possible side effects of Alimta?
Most patients
treated with Alimta will experience some side effects. The most
common side effects of Alimta are:
- stomach
upset, including nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea
- a drop in
white blood cells, increasing the risk of infection
- a drop in
red blood cells (anemia), causing tiredness or shortness of
breath
- a drop in
platelets that results in bruising or bleeding
- tiredness
- mouth,
throat, or lip sores
- loss of
appetite
- rash
You should contact your doctor if you have signs of infection such as
fever (temperature above 100.4F) chills, diarrhea, or mouth sores.
9.
What should I avoid while being treated with Alimta?
-
Women should avoid becoming
pregnant while being treated with Alimta because Alimta may cause
harm to an unborn baby.
-
Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) for at least 5 days before Alimta treatment, during the
day of treatment, and for two days after treatment.
If you are not sure if a drug you take is a NSAID, ask your
doctor or pharmacist. There are many NSAID medicines that are
prescription and over-the-counter.
10.
What else should I know about Alimta treatment?
- Your doctor will prescribe a medicine called a corticosteroid to
take the day before, day of, and day after Alimta treatment to
lower your chances of getting a skin reaction.
- You will
have regular blood tests before and during Alimta treatment so
your doctor can monitor your treatment.
11. Where
can I find more information on Alimta?
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Date created: February 5, 2004 |
