Pemetrexed Benefits & Uses

Pemetrexed is used to treat the following -

Other Benefits

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Pemetrexed Dosage & How to Take

This is the usual dosage recommended in most common treatment cases. Please remember that every patient and their case is different, so the dosage can be different based on the disease, route of administration, patient's age and medical history.

Find the right dosage based on disease and age

Age Group	Dosage
Adult	Disease: Head and neck cancer Before or After Meal: As advised by a physician Single Maximum Dose: 830 mg Dosage Route: Parenteral Frequency: doctor administered Course Duration: As directed by the doctor Special Instructions: 500 mg/m² IV over 10 minutes on Day 1 of each 21-days cycle, given in combination with cisplatin
Geriatric	Disease: Head and neck cancer Before or After Meal: As advised by a physician Single Maximum Dose: 830 mg Dosage Route: Parenteral Frequency: doctor administered Course Duration: As directed by the doctor Special Instructions: 500 mg/m² IV over 10 minutes on Day 1 of each 21-days cycle, given in combination with cisplatin

Pemetrexed Side Effects

Based on research, the following side effects have been observed when Pemetrexed is used -

Severe

Nausea or vomiting
Loss of appetite
Pharyngitis
Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)
Hair Loss
Reduced blood platelets
Rash
Fatigue
Anemia (Read More - Home Remedies for Anaemia)
Diarrhoea
Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils)
Neuropathy

Moderate

Peripheral Edema
Hypertension
Chest Pain
Constipation (Read More - Home remedies for constipation)

Mild

Headache
Cough
Dizziness
Insomnia
Fever (Read More - Home remedies for fever)
Itching or burning
पेट दर्द
Urticaria

Pemetrexed Related Warnings

Is the use of Pemetrexed safe for pregnant women?

Pemetrexed shows severe side effect on pregnant women. For this reason, pregnant women should only take it after taking medical advice.

Severe
Is the use of Pemetrexed safe during breastfeeding?

Pemetrexed may cause serious side effects in breastfeeding women, so do not take this drug without doctor's advice.

Severe
What is the effect of Pemetrexed on the Kidneys?

There may be some adverse effects on kidney after taking Pemetrexed. If you observe any such side effects, stop taking this drug. Consume this medicine again only if your doctor advises you to do so.

Moderate
What is the effect of Pemetrexed on the Liver?

Pemetrexed is not harmful for the liver.

Safe
What is the effect of Pemetrexed on the Heart?

There are no any side effects of Pemetrexed for the heart.

Safe

Severe Interaction of Pemetrexed with Other Drugs

Pemetrexed should not be taken with following medicines due to severe side effects it may cause to patients -

Severe

Adalimumab

Leflunomide

Clozapine

Etanercept

Moderate

Warfarin

Aspirin

Pemetrexed Contraindications

If you are suffering from any of the following diseases, you should not take Pemetrexed unless your doctor advises you to do so -

Kidney Disease
Neutropenia
Pneumonitis
Infertility

Frequently asked Questions about Pemetrexed

Is this Pemetrexed habit forming or addictive?

Pemetrexed is not addictive in nature.

No
Is it safe to drive or operate heavy machinery when consuming?

After taking Pemetrexed you may feel sleepy. So it is not advised to perform these activities.

Dangerous
Is it safe?

Yes, but consume Pemetrexed only on doctor's advice.

Safe, but take only on Doctor's advise
Is it able to treat mental disorders?

There is no benefit of taking Pemetrexed for mental disorders.

No

Pemetrexed Interactions with Food and Alcohol

Interaction between Food and Pemetrexed

Taking Pemetrexed with food is safe.

Safe
Interaction between Alcohol and Pemetrexed

It is difficult to say anything about the effect of Pemetrexed and alcohol. No research has been done on this yet.

Unknown

See all substitutes for Pemetrexed

This medicine data has been created by -

Vikas Chauhan

B.Pharma, Pharmacy
5 Years of Experience

References

April Hazard Vallerand, Cynthia A. Sanoski. [link]. Sixteenth Edition. Philadelphia, China: F. A. Davis Company; 2019: Page No 999-1000

KD Tripathi. [link]. Seventh Edition. New Delhi, India: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers; 2013: Page No 863

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [Internet]. Maryland. USA; Package leaflet information for the user; Alimta (pemetrexed disodium)

Pemetrexed Injection