Alimta 500 mg Injection | 500 mg in 1 Vial

Introduction of Alimta Injection

Alimta 500 mg Injection is an antineoplastic agent used to treat non-small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma. Alimta 500 mg Injection can be given alone or in combination with other chemotherapy medications. For non-small cell, lung cancer that has spread, Alimta 500 mg Injection is used as a first treatment in combination with other chemotherapies. For ongoing treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, it is given alone to patients whose cancer has not worsened after receiving previous chemotherapy and who couldn't be treated successfully with other chemotherapies. Alimta 500 mg used in combination with another chemotherapy is used for malignant pleural mesothelioma in patients who can't undergo surgery. Alimta 500 mg works by inhibiting a substance that aids the multiplication of cancer cells.

Alimta 500 mg Injection should not be taken with individuals diagnosed with squamous cell non-small cell lung cancer. If the patient experiences Grade 3 or 4 toxicity (either hematologic or nonhematologic) after 2 dose reductions, or if Grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity is observed, use of Alimta 500 mg Injection should be stopped immediately. The safety and effectiveness of Alimta 500 mg Injection for children have not been determined.

Alimta 500 mg Injection may cause some common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, rash, fatigue, diarrhoea, and a drop in white blood cell count. If the side effects persist for an extended period, it is advisable to speak with your doctor. It is important to avoid alcohol and maintain hydration by drinking plenty of water during the treatment. If these symptoms persist or cause discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical advice from a doctor. Your doctor can give you guidance on how to manage the side effects. This Alimta 500 mg is not suitable for children under the age of 18.

Alimta 500 mg is administered via injection by a qualified healthcare professional and should not be self-administered.Before using Alimta 500 mg Injection, inform your doctor or nurse if you have a history of any pre-existing disease or heart-related disease. kidney, or lung disease allergy, etc. The dosage and frequency of administration will be determined by the physician based on the specific condition being treated and may be adjusted as necessary. It is important to follow the instructions of your doctor and not alter the dosage or frequency without medical advice. It may take some time for the medication to take effect, but it is important to continue taking it as prescribed, even if the improvement is not immediately noticed. It's also important to inform the doctor if you experience any serious side effects.

Uses of Alimta Injection

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Alimta 500 mg is used in the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer a type of lung cancer that is characterized by the abnormal growth of cells in the lung tissue. The symptoms of NSCLC can include cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, and recurrent infections.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Alimta 500 mg Injection is used in the treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, called the pleura. The symptoms of MPM can include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, and a persistent cough.

Benefits of Alimta Injection

Alimta 500 mg is used for cancer treatment by suppressing multiple enzymes that drive the growth and spread of cancer cells, providing a more robust treatment option compared to chemotherapy drugs that only target a single enzyme. Clinical studies have shown that the use of Alimta 500 mg Injection in combination with other chemotherapy drugs can increase survival rates in patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM). Furthermore, Alimta 500 mg exhibits a lower risk of severe side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and vomiting, as it has a milder toxicity profile compared to some conventional chemotherapy drugs.

Side Effects of Alimta Injection

​​​​​Like all medications, Alimta 500 mg can cause side effects but do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them.​

Most Common Side Effects of Alimta Injection

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Redness, swelling, or sores in the mouth
• Loss of appetite, sensation
• Increased skin pigmentation
• Watery and inflamed eyes, taste change
• Fever
• Muscle weakness
• Dehydration
• Constipation
• Skin rash
• Hair loss

Common Side Effects of Alimta Injection

• Infection
• Severe allergic reaction
• Breathlessness, intense chest pain, or cough with bloody sputum
• Decrease in white blood cells count
• Kidney failure
• Abnormal liver function

How to Use Alimta Injection?

​Alimta 500 mg Injection is an intravenous infusion, Administered by a healthcare professional or nurse in a hospital or clinic setting. The specific dosing and administration of the Alimta 500 mg Injection will be determined by the patient's clinical condition, age, medical history, and other factors. It is important to note that this Alimta 500 mg Injection should not be self-administered, and it is important to follow the instructions of the healthcare professional administering the Alimta 500 mg.​

How Alimta Injection Works?

Alimta 500 mg Injection is an antifolate chemotherapy drug that works by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for synthesizing DNA and other cellular components in rapidly growing cancer cells. By blocking the production of these components, Alimta 500 mg interferes with the cancer cell's ability to divide and grow, leading to cell death. This makes Alimta 500 mg an effective treatment option for certain types of cancer, including Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM). However, it should be noted that healthy cells that grow and divide rapidly, such as those in the bone marrow, can also be affected by Alimta 500 mg Injection and lead to side effects.

Safety Advices Alimta Injection

Alcohol

Unsafe

Pregnancy

Unsafe

Breastfeeding

Unsafe

Driving

Unsafe

Kidney

Use with Caution

Liver

Safe

References

1. Alimta (pemetrexed Disodium) Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, For Solution For Intravenous Use, Eli Lilly And Company, Product Leaflet 

2. Pemetrexed Pfizer 500 Mg Powder For Concentrate For Solution For Infusion, Pfizer Service Company Bv, Product Monograph 

3. Pemetrexed 500 Mg Powder For Concentrate For Solution For Infusion, Wessling Hungary Kft, Product Lealfte 

4. Pemetrexed Injection, Medline Plus, Available Form 

5. Pemetrexed, Drugs.com, Available Form