|
What is Alimta used for?
Alimta
is used as a treatment for:
-
malignant
pleural mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the
inside lining of the chest cavity. Alimta is given with
cisplatin, another anti-cancer medicine (chemotherapy).
-
non-small cell lung cancer. Alimta is given alone
after a patient has already tried prior chemotherapy.
Alimta has not been studied in children
Who should not be treated with Alimta?
You
should not be given Alimta if you are allergic to Alimta or
any of the ingredients in Alimta.
Special Warning(s) with Alimta:
- It is very important to take folic acid
and vitamin B12 during your treatment with Alimta to lower
your chances of harmful side effects.
- Women who can become pregnant should not
become pregnant during treatment with Alimta. Alimta
may harm the unborn baby.
What should I tell my health care provider?
Tell
your health care provider if you are:
- pregnant, are trying
to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
- taking other medicines, including prescription and non-prescription
medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Alimta
and other medicines may affect each other, causing serious
side effects. Especially tell your health care provider
if you are taking medicines called “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs” (NSAIDs) for pain or swelling. There are many NSAID
medicines. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist
if any of your medicines are NSAIDs.
What are some possible side effects of Alimta? (This
list is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with
Alimta. Your health care provider can discuss with you
a more complete list of side effects.)
Call
your doctor right away if you have a fever, chills, diarrhea,
or mouth sores. These symptoms could mean you have an infection.
Some
common side effects with Alimta when used with cisplatin include:
- Stomach upset, including nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea
- Low blood cell counts:
-
Low red blood cells (which may make you feel tired, get tired easily,
appear pale, and become short of breath)
-
Low
white blood cells (which may give you a greater
chance for infection)
-
Low
platelets (which may give you a greater chance
for bleeding)
- Tiredness
- Mouth, throat, or lip sores (stomatitis,
pharyngitis)
- Loss of appetite
- Rash
For more detailed information about Alimta,
ask your health care provider or pharmacist.
|
