Alimta 100mg Injection

About

Pemetrexed, marketed as Alimta, is an antifolate antineoplastic agent that operates by interfering with several folate-dependent metabolic processes critical for cellular replication. Specifically, it inhibits key enzymes involved in purine and pyrimidine synthesis, including thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase. This multi-targeted enzymatic inhibition leads to a profound disruption of DNA synthesis and repair mechanisms, ultimately inducing apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells. Its unique mechanism of action makes it particularly effective in the treatment of various solid tumors, most notably non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and malignant pleural mesothelioma. It is often utilized either as a monotherapy, in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents, or as a maintenance therapy to prolong remission and improve patient outcomes in eligible individuals. This targeted approach helps to control disease progression by directly impacting the metabolic pathways essential for cancer cell survival and proliferation.

Uses

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
• Malignant pleural mesothelioma
• Advanced or metastatic solid tumors
• Maintenance therapy for NSCLC

Directions For Use

Administered intravenously by a healthcare professional. Dosage and schedule are determined by your doctor based on your condition and response to treatment.

Benefits

• Effective against specific types of lung cancer.
• Improves progression-free survival in mesothelioma.
• Can be used as maintenance therapy to prolong remission.
• Offers a targeted approach to disrupt cancer cell growth.
• May be combined with other agents for enhanced efficacy.
• Contributes to overall disease control in eligible patients.

Side Effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Anemia
• Neutropenia
• Thrombocytopenia
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Stomatitis
• Rash
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Kidney dysfunction

Safety Measures

• Alcohol - Avoid alcohol consumption as it may exacerbate side effects like nausea or liver strain, and can interact with certain medications.
• Pregnancy - Pemetrexed is contraindicated in pregnancy due to its genotoxic and teratogenic potential. Effective contraception is required during treatment and for a period after.
• Breastfeeding - Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Pemetrexed and for a period thereafter, due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in the infant.
• Liver - Use with caution in patients with pre-existing liver impairment. Dose adjustments may be necessary based on liver function tests, as the drug is metabolized by the liver.
• Kidney - Pemetrexed is primarily excreted renally. Dose adjustments are required for patients with moderate to severe renal impairment to prevent increased toxicity.
• Lung - While used for lung cancer, patients should be monitored for new or worsening pulmonary symptoms, though direct lung toxicity is less common than other systemic effects.

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