Respiratory and thoracic cancers:
Indications for: ALIMTA
Initial treatment of metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, in combination with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy. Locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC: in combination with cisplatin as initial treatment, or as a single agent for maintenance in patients whose disease has not progressed after 4 cycles of platinum-based 1st-line chemotherapy. Treatment of patients with recurrent, metastatic nonsquamous, NSCLC after prior chemotherapy, as a single agent. Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM): in combination with cisplatin, for the initial treatment of patients whose disease is unresectable or who are otherwise not candidates for curative surgery.
Limitations of Use:
Not for the treatment of squamous cell NSCLC.
Adult Dosage:
Supplement with oral folic acid and intramuscular vitamin B12 one week prior to 1st pemetrexed dose, continue during treatment, and for 21 days after the last dose. Pretreat with dexamethasone for 3 consecutive days, beginning the day before each pemetrexed dose. In combination regimens: give pemetrexed dose prior to cisplatin or carboplatin. CrCl ≥45mL/min: 500mg/m2 by IV infusion over 10mins on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. In combination with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy: treat for 4 cycles; following platinum-based therapy completion, give pemetrexed with or without pembrolizumab until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. In combination with cisplatin for NSCLC: treat for up to 6 cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Maintenance, recurrent NSCLC, or MPM: continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Dose modifications: see full labeling.
Children Dosage:
Not established.
ALIMTA Warnings/Precautions:
See full labeling. Increased risk of myelosuppression without vitamin supplementation. Permanently discontinue if Grade 3 or 4 neurologic toxicity, recurrent Grade 3 or 4 non-hematologic toxicity after two dose reductions, severe/life-threatening skin toxicity, interstitial pneumonitis, or signs of radiation recall occur. Do not start a treatment cycle unless ANC is ≥1500cells/mm3, platelets ≥100,000cells/mm3. Monitor CBCs, platelets, renal function. Renal impairment (CrCl <45mL/min). Severe third space fluid. Embryo-fetal toxicity. Pregnancy: avoid. Advise to use effective contraception during and for 6 months (females) or 3 months (males w. female partners) after the last dose. Nursing mothers: not recommended (during and for 1 week after the last dose).
ALIMTA Classification:
Antifolate.
ALIMTA Interactions:
Increased risk of toxicity with concomitant ibuprofen in renal impairment (CrCl 45–79mL/min): avoid for 2 days before, the day of, and 2 days following pemetrexed dose; if unavoidable, monitor more frequently for effects.
Adverse Reactions:
Fatigue, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, stomatitis/pharyngitis, constipation, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, diarrhea, headache, decreased appetite, rash, cough, dyspnea, pyrexia; rare: renal failure.
Note:
Testing considerations: TS (thymidylate synthase) expression for response and toxicity.
Drug Elimination:
Renal.
Generic Drug Availability:
NO
How Supplied:
Single-use vial—1
