The U.S. FDA-approved Pemetrexed is an anticancer medication to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-small cell lung carcinoma, on 04th February 2004.

Pemetrexed is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma (cancers of the lungs and chest). Pemetrexed Injection is given alone or in combination with another anticancer medicine, such as Cisplatin.

Pemetrexed is an intravenous infusion drug that is injected through the veins. Your physician will choose the dosage and administration frequency based on your medical condition because it differs for each person.

The most common side effects of Pemetrexed are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, redness, swelling or sores in the mouth, loss of appetite, sensation, reduced hemoglobin level, increased skin pigmentation, muscle weakness, constipation, hair loss, watery and inflamed eyes, taste change, skin rashes. 

Some serious effects that are likely to occur while you are on the treatment with Pemetrexed injections are blood infection, abnormal liver function, breathlessness, intense chest pain or cough with bloody sputum, severe allergic reaction, kidney failure, reduced neutrophil granulocytes (white blood cells), pharyngitis (a sore throat).

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because this may cause harm to the unborn baby. If you are breastfeeding, it has stopped immediately. Conditions such as , myelosuppression, embryo fetal toxicity, interstitial pneumonitis, and renal failure are associated with this medicine. Consult a doctor for more information. Discuss your fertility problem with the doctor because, in men, it is advised not to father a child during and after the 3 months of treatment. So it is advised to get suggestions about fertility concerns. Inform your doctor if you have or had any history of heart disease, kidney problems, fluid accumulation in the lungs, or severe liver problems. 

You will need to have regular blood tests while taking Pemetrexed to monitor your blood cell counts, blood uric acid level, and kidney function. Notify your doctor immediately if you have undergone any radiotherapy or taken any vaccines and other medications before starting with Pemetrexed because it might reduce the effectiveness of this medicine and may cause side effects. Pemetrexed is not recommended for children or adults under 18 years. Talk with your doctor for more information. 

Use effective birth control during the treatment and at least six months after the last dose of Pemetrexed Injection. Keep the tablets away from light and moisture. Store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C. Keep the tablets out of the reach of children and animals.

1. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs,7th edition, 2013, 863.
2. Eagle Pharmaceuticals, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on Feb 2020] [ Accessed on 27 - March - 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/209472s000lbl.pdf 
3. Seacross Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Accessed on 27 - March - 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.8887.pdf

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.