Pemetrexed

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung, Thymoma, Ovarian Cancer + 7 more
Treatment
7 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Pemetrexed

What is Pemetrexed

PemetrexedThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryPemetrexed is a chemotherapy drug sold under the brand name Alimta. It is prescribed alongside cisplatin to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. Pemetrexed has also been studied to treat non-small cell lung cancer.
Alimtais the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Pemetrexed Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Alimta
Pemetrexed
2004
76

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Pemetrexed, also known as Alimta, is approved by the FDA for 7 uses which include Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) and locally advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer .
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM)
Used to treat Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) in combination with Cisplatin
locally advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer
Used to treat locally advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer in combination with Cisplatin
Metastatic Non-squamous Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
Used to treat Metastatic Non-squamous Non Small Cell Lung Cancer in combination with Cisplatin
Malignant Mesothelioma
Used to treat Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) in combination with Cisplatin
Malignant Neoplasms
Used to treat Metastatic Non-squamous Non Small Cell Lung Cancer in combination with Cisplatin
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
Used to treat locally advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer in combination with Cisplatin
Pharmacotherapy
Used to treat platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with Pembrolizumab

Effectiveness

How Pemetrexed Affects PatientsPemetrexed can stop the growth of certain types of cancer cells when used alone or with another medication, cisplatin. The amount of white blood cells in the body may decrease with use of pemetrexed, and taking folic acid and vitamin B12 can help prevent this. There is no evidence that repeated use of pemetrexed leads to an increased decrease in white blood cells.
How Pemetrexed works in the bodyPemetrexed works by blocking enzymes necessary for the replication of cancerous cells. It is transported into cells by two systems and then converted into a form that is more resistant to exiting the cell. This form blocks three key enzymes responsible for the creation of molecules needed for cell replication. The blocking of these enzymes stops cancer cells from reproducing, which in turn kills them.

When to interrupt dosage

The suggested dosage of Pemetrexed relies upon the indicated state of affairs, including locally advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer, unresectable Thymoma and Ovarian Cancer. The measure of dosage can be found in the table below, contingent upon the technique of delivery (e.g. Injection, solution - Intravenous or Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution).
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Thymoma
, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Ovarian Cancer
, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Malignant Mesothelioma
, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Metastatic Ureter Urothelial Carcinoma
, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Malignant Neoplasms
, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Malignant Mesothelioma
, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Disease Progression
, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Pharmacotherapy
, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Pharmacotherapy
, 500.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 100.0 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 25.0 mg/mL
, Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous

Warnings

Pemetrexed has one contraindication. Combining it with any of the conditions in the following table is not recommended.There are 20 known major drug interactions with Pemetrexed.
Common Pemetrexed Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Pemetrexed is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Pemetrexed is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Pemetrexed is combined with Abetimus.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Pemetrexed is combined with Acteoside.
Aldosterone
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Pemetrexed is combined with Aldosterone.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Pemetrexed Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Pemetrexed?

277 active clinical trials are currently being conducted to assess the ability of Pemetrexed to mitigate Mesotheliomas, Unresectable Thymoma and Malignant Neoplasms.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Malignant Mesothelioma
15 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable
Pharmacotherapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Malignant Neoplasms
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Pharmacotherapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Thymoma
0 Actively Recruiting
Metastatic Ureter Urothelial Carcinoma
36 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable
Ovarian Cancer
17 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
0 Actively Recruiting
Disease Progression
0 Actively Recruiting
Malignant Mesothelioma
7 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3

Pemetrexed Reviews: What are patients saying about Pemetrexed?

4Patient Review
8/17/2013
Pemetrexed for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Altima has been working well for me so far. The tumor has shrunk every time I've used it, except for the last one where it stayed the same. I'm hoping that the next round will show some more shrinkage. The only side effect I have is tiredness on days three and four, but it's not too bad.
1.7Patient Review
12/10/2012
Pemetrexed for Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about pemetrexed

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What kind of chemo is pemetrexed?

"Pemetrexed is a chemotherapy drug that works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells."

Answered by AI

Is pemetrexed an immunotherapy?

"This is the first time that chemotherapy and immunotherapy have been approved for use together to treat non-small cell lung cancer."

Answered by AI

What is pemetrexed used to treat?

"Pemetrexed injection is used in combination with other cancer medicines to treat metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with no EGFR or ALK gene mutations. It is also used together with cisplatin to treat advanced or metastatic, non-squamous NSCLC."

Answered by AI

How long can you take pemetrexed?

"You also take vitamin B12 injections starting 7 days before you begin treatment, continuing throughout treatment, and for after 8 weeks after treatment ends.

Pemetrexed and cisplatin treatments usually last between 3 to 6 months, with 4 to 6 sessions. To reduce potential side effects, patients are advised to take folic acid tablets starting 5 days before the first treatment and continuing for 3 weeks after the last treatment. They are also advised to take vitamin B12 injections starting 7 days before the first treatment and continuing for 8 weeks after the last treatment."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Pemetrexed

Have you considered Pemetrexed clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Pemetrexed, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Pemetrexed clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Pemetrexed, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Pemetrexed clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Pemetrexed, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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