Alimta, also known by its generic name of pemetrexed for injection, is a chemotherapeutic drug indicated for the treatment of two different forms of lung cancer. Alimta belongs to a class of drugs known as antifolates, which work by blocking enzymes that play a role in the growth of cancer cells.
Cancer Types
Alimta was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004 for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) that is untreatable via surgery and also as a treatment for for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In both cases, patients usually use Alimta in conjuction with another chemotherapy agent known as cisplatin; however, if a patient already has received initial treatment for either MPM or NSCLC, Alimta may be given as a single agent.
Administration
According to prescription guidelines, the recommended dose of Alimta is 500 mg/m2 to be administered via a 10-minute intravenous infusion on the first day of a 21-day cycle. Approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the Alimta infusion, a health care provider then administers cisplatin. The recommended dose of cisplatin is 75 mg/m2 infused over two hours. In some cases, health care professionals may administer Alimta as a single treatment without a subsequent cisplatin infusion.
Side Effects
According to Macmillan Cancer Support, some patients undergoing Alimta treatment experience some form of drug-related side effects. Although the nature and severity of these side effects vary among individuals, common side effects include bruising or bleeding, anemia, tiredness and feeling weak, mouth sores, nausea and diarrhea. Some patients also may have skin changes, such as a rash or itchiness. Macmillan also warns that Alimta treatment may reduce resistance to infection due to a lowered white blood cell count.
Vitamins
Patients undergoing treatment with Alimta must take vitamin B12 and folic acid before and throughout treatment in order to reduce drug-induced toxicity. At the 2001 American Society of Clincal Oncology meeting, Dr. Paul Bunn presented data from a study that showed that supplementation with vitamin B12 and folic acid significantly reduced Alimta-related toxicities. The patient receives a vitamin D injection into a muscle a week before Alimta treatment starts and after every third treatment cycle. Take folic acid as a tablet a few days before the first treatment begins and then every day until three weeks after Alimta treatment has ended.
Considerations
Women should not become pregnant while undergoing Alimta treatment because Alimta may affect the development of the fetus. According to Macmillan Cancer Support, it is vital to use effective contraception while taking Alimta, both during treatment and for several weeks after treatment is complete. Alimta may affect fertility in males and females undergoing treatment.
