Pemetrexed (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 21, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Alimta
• Pemfexy

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Uses for pemetrexed

Pemetrexed injection is used in combination with pembrolizumab and platinum cancer medicines to treat metastatic (cancer that has spread) non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with no EGFR or ALK gene mutations. It is also used together with cisplatin to treat advanced or metastatic, non-squamous NSCLC.

Pemetrexed injection is also used as maintenance treatment of advanced or metastatic NSCLC that has not progressed after a previous 4-cycle treatment with platinum cancer medicines. It is also used to treat metastatic non-squamous NSCLC that has come back after a previous chemotherapy.

Pemetrexed injection is also used together with cisplatin to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma (cancer that affects the inside lining of the lungs and chest wall) that cannot be removed by surgery. Pemetrexed belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics.

Pemetrexed is given only by or under the direct supervision of your doctor.

Before using pemetrexed

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pemetrexed, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pemetrexed or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of pemetrexed injection have not been performed in the pediatric population. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of pemetrexed injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted effects (eg, anemia, thrombocytopenia, high blood pressure, neutropenia) or age-related kidney problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving pemetrexed injection.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving pemetrexed, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using pemetrexed with any of the following medicines is not r...