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Alimta & Pleural Mesothelioma
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.
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.
How does Alimta work?
Alimta works by blocking specific
enzymes thought to play a role in
the rapid growth of these lung
tumors.
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.
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.
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.
For more information on Alimta :
Go to FDA's : www.fda.gov
or
National Cancer Institute's :
www.cancer.gov
Content Courtesy : www.fda.gov
Note : Information herein is
provided for informational purposes
only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. You
should not use this information for
diagnosing or treating a medical or
health condition. If you have or
suspect you have a medical problem,
promptly contact your professional
healthcare provider. Please consult
your healthcare provider before
beginning any course of
supplementation or treatment.
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