Details

Pemetrexed is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Pemetrexed is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer after other cancer medications have been tried without successful treatment. Pemetrexed is also used with another medication called cisplatin to treat mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer associated with exposure to asbestos. To make sure pemetrexed is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease liver disease a weak immune system or excess fluid in the space around your lung, liver, or other internal organs, including pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs) or ascites (fluid around the liver). Pemetrexed should not be used in pregnancy.

Typical Uses

Pemetrexed is used to treat certain types of cancer (e.g., lung cancer, mesothelioma). It is a chemotherapy drug that is used alone or in combination with other medications to slow or stop cancer cell growth.

Side Effects

Common pemetrexed side effects may include severe ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea bone marrow suppression-fever, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, cold or flu symptoms, sore throat, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, skin sores, red or pink urine, rapid heart rate, feeling light-headed or short of breath, kidney problems-swelling, rapid weight gain, little or no urinating signs of dehydration-feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, hot and dry skin or severe skin reaction-fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Pemetrexed+adalimumab- Using adalimumab together with pemetrexed may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Pemetrexed+certolizumab- Using pemetrexed together with certolizumab may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Pemetrexed+deferiprone- Deferiprone can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as pemetrexed may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.
• Pemetrexed+fingolimod- Using fingolimod together with pemetrexed may increase the risk of serious infections. Because fingolimod can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Pemetrexed+leflunomide- Using leflunomide together with pemetrexed may increase the risk of serious infections. Because leflunomide can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Mechanism of action

Pemetrexed belong to class of chemotherapy drugs called folate antimetabolites. It disrupts certain metabolic processes essential for cancer cell replication and multiplication.

Pregnancy Category : D