Alimta

Alimta Information

Alimta is an effective cancer medical product. Like most other cancer drugs, this medicine aims to slow the growth of the cancerous cells, thus preventing their spread through the organism. The therapy with this medicine is more suitable for individuals who present mesothelioma - a form of cancer that affects the individual’s lungs (this disorder has been directly linked to the exposure of the patient to asbestos). However, a therapy with this drug can also help in the case of patients who suffer from non-small cell cancers of the lung (s), if the patient had already previously undergone a treatment trial with other cancer drugs (apart from Alimta).

Alimta Indications

Alimta is a cancer medicine that is suitable for patients who are suffering from various forms of cancer. If you want to know more about this medicine or if you are not sure for which reason has your personal physician prescribed you a treatment with this drug, we recommend you to seek your doctor’s professional medical guidance.

Alimta Warnings

Before an individual is allowed to start receiving doses of Alimta, he or she ought to inform their personal health care provider whether they are suffering from liver and / or kidney disorders, if they have a weakened immune system (if they have any infections), if they present an excessive amount of fluid between the membranes that cover your lungs, if they are allergic to any medicines, foods, or other substances.

Most patients who follow a treatment trial with Alimta are prescribed an adjacent therapy with vitamin B-12 and / or folic acid. This is supposed to help protect the patient’s bone marrow, cells and stomach from the unpleasant (and sometimes severe) adverse reactions that can be caused by this cancer medicine. The prophylaxis with these substances ought to be started before the patient takes in his or her first dose of Alimta (if possible, a week before that). Furthermore, the therapy with these supplements must not be stopped for another 3 weeks after the end of your therapy with this cancer medicine (Alimta).

Even if folic acid and vitamin B-12 are both over the counter (non-prescription) medicines, you should ask your physician to prescribe you a certain brand and the proper dose of these substances that you ought to use regularly. The average treatment trial with Alimta lasts for 3 weeks. However, the number of therapy trials that you will have to follow will be determined by your personal health care provider.

As a therapy with Alimta lowers your blood number of white cells (those that are supposed to aid your organism to fight against infections), patients who take this drug regularly are more prone to developing certain forms of diseases. This is why an individual who takes this cancer medicine regularly ought to avoid being near other patients who are infected with flu, or any other contagious disorders. Each patient whop follows a long term therapy with this drug ought to undergo regular blood tests in order to aid their personal physician keep their blood levels of white cells under a strict supervision.

Alimta Intake Guidelines

The most common way in which this medicine is administered to the patient is through an IV injection. The injection with this medicine should be given to the individual in a special medical setting that is equipped with all the necessary medical gadgets (in case a severe adverse reaction occurs). The injection of Alimta is more like an infusion, as the administration of a dose of Alimta is a slow process that should last for at least 10 minutes. Patients who develop the most severe adverse reactions of this medicine should start a therapy with a certain steroid.

Alimta Dosage

Even if the medicine’s leaflet does contain certain information regarding the average dose of Alimta that should be prescribed to a certain patient should be obtained from the individual’s personal health care provider. Only a doctor can determine the proper dose of this cancer medicine, taking into consideration the patient’s general health condition, his or her age, and so on.

Alimta Overdose

After studying a number of patients who were diagnosed with over-dosage with Alimta, physicians have compiled a list of the symptoms that such a medical condition triggers: body aches, chills, fever, severe diarrhea, white patches and / or sores inside the patient’s mouth, and so on.

Alimta Missed Dose

If a patient misses his / her appointment with his physician (if he / she misses being administered a dose of Alimta), they should immediately reschedule their appointment.

Alimta Side Effects

Patients who had followed a therapy with this medical product developed symptoms such as the following: abnormal weakness, unusual bleeding and / or bruising, pale skin, flu symptoms, chills, body aches, fever, sores and / or white patches inside the patient’s mouth, breathing troubles, chest pain, rapid weight gain, swelling, and so on.

Alimta Drug Reactions

Studies have shown that combining your therapy with Alimta with an adjacent treatment trial with another medicine could have severe effects, especially if that other medicine is Benemid (probenecid) or any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (abbreviated as NSAID). You should ask your personal physician to provide you with further professional information regarding this matter. Avoid starting a therapy with another drug (apart from Alimta) without asking for his or her permission.