Alimta Side Effects

Serious Adverse Side Effects of Alimta

• Dermatological side effects such as radiation recall syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Hematological side effects such as anemia, febrile neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
• Neurological side effects such as sensory neuropathy
• Renal failure
• Respiratory side effects such as acute lung injury, and interstitial pneumonia

Common Side Effects of Alimta

• Itching at site of injeciton
• Peeling of skin at site of injection
• Gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, pharyngitis, stomatitis, and vomiting
• Fatigue

Warnings & Recalls for Alimta

Warnings and Precautions of Alimta

• Alimta may interfere with the function of bone marrow, leading to low blood cell counts
• Concurrent use with NSAIDs with short or long elimination half-lives
• Creatinine clearance of less than 45 mL/minute
• Pregnancy should be avoided during treatment with Alimta | Pemetrexed due to possible loss of the fetus

Alimta Treatment and Use

Alimta | Pemetrexed is a chemotherapy drug that is manufactured and marketed by the drug company Eli Lilly.  It is indicated for the treatment of:

• Malignant mesothelioma of pleura (in combination with cisplatin in patients who aren’t candidates for surgical resection)
• Non-small cell lung cancer (locally advanced or nonsquamous metastatic)

The chemical structure was developed in 2004 in conjunction with Princeton University as well as Eli Lilly.  Alimta | Pemetrexed is in a class of medications called antifolate antineoplastic agents and works primarily in blocking the actions of a certain substance in the patient’s body that causes cancer cells to multiply.  Alimta | Pemetrexed prevents the formation of DNA and RNA, which are required for the growth and survival of both normal cells and cancer cells.  It comes in the form of an injection.

There are adverse reactions to Alimta | Pemetrexed which are primarily gastrointestinal that include loss of appetite and nausea.  Fatigue accounts for a huge proportion of Alimta | Pemetrexed’s adverse side effects as well.

How does Alimta work?

The mechanism of action for Alimta | Pemetrexed is as an antifolate containing the pyrrolopyrimidine-based nucleus that exerts its antineoplastic activity by disrupting folate-dependent metabolic processes essential for cancer cell replication.  Alimta | Pemetrexed is transported into cells by both the reduced folate carrier and membrane folate binding protein systems in the bodies of patients who have malignant mesothelioma of pleura or non-small cell lung cancer.  Alimta | Pemetrexed, when used with cisplatin, has proven to be effective for these types of cancers.

It is worth noting that in 2010, Alimta | Pemetrexed’s revenue was over $2 billion.

Alimta Treatment

It is vital for patients who are receiving Alimta to taking certain supplements before and during treatment to diminish the risk of serious side effects. Patients should take the following supplements as instructed:

• Folic Acid | every day for a minimum of 5 out of 7 days prior to your first Alimta treatment. Folic acid should be taken continuously over the course of treatment, and for up to 21 days after treatment completion.
• B12 injections | administered by a doctor during treatment, with the first injection given a week before the first Alimta treatment, and the remaining injections given every 9 weeks during treatment.

Contacting Someone Who Can Help You

If you or a loved one have experienced serious side effects as a result of taking this drug, please do not hesitate to contact someone who can help you.

Other Names for Alimta

• Alimta

• Pemetrexed

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Alimta