Uses of Alimta

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Pharmacological uses of the drug Alimta

According to studies and progression history tracked in patients who used Alimta, this is the preferred product for the treatment of lung cancer. Not all lung cancer problems can be completely treated with Alimta. However, if the patient has lung cancer that has not spread or spread before the stage of metastasis, it can be treated with Alimta.
When lung cancer cells are diagnosed as non-squamous cells, Alimta can also be used to treat. The course of 4-cycle chemotherapy based on palatin has not been effective, the doctor will consider prescribing Alimta. Others may combine Alimta with cisplatin for malignant pleural mesothelioma when tumor resection cannot be performed or chemotherapy cannot be performed.

Dosage for patients treated with Alimta

Dosage of Alimta drug is divided according to each regimen. There are 2 types of Alimta: Alimta 100mg and Alimta 500mg. That is why patients cannot self-medicate without a prescription.
2.1 Dosage of drugs in combination with cisplatin Using Alimta in combination with cisplatin requires a 21-day cycle. On the first day, the doctor will administer Alimta intravenously at the amount of 500mg / m2 (dose measured by the area of ​​​​the skin) this dose will be infused over 10 minutes. After 30 minutes have elapsed from the time of the first dose, the injection will be continued for 2 hours with the dose of 75 mg/m2. After the procedure, it is necessary to pay attention to rehydration and not cause irritation leading to vomiting.
2.2 Dosage without other drugs Patients diagnosed with lung cancer that is not small cell or squamous cell who have undergone chemotherapy will not take Alimta in combination with cisplatin. The drug treatment cycle also lasted for 21 days. On the first day, the patient will be infused with 500mg/m2 over 10 minutes. Subsequent doses are determined by toxicity measured by haematological or neurologic responses. The next dose is often not determined in advance because it depends on the body of each patient.
2.3 Precautionary notes before treatment Patients who will receive Alimta infusion should note that before the injection, they need to take 4mg of corticosteroids 2 times a day. Then continue to maintain and follow the doctor's instructions. You need to supplement your body with at least 5 doses of folic acid or a medicine containing folic acid to ensure 350-1000 micrograms before infusion 1 week.
After the injection you continue to take folic acid until the last day of the cycle. IM vit B12 laoji 1000 micrograms will be given 1 week prior to the start of the first treatment cycle. From the following times, injections of IM vit B12 will be given 3 cycles apart.

Precautions while using Alimta

Children and adolescents should not take this medicine unless directed to do so by a doctor. For some patients with dehydration, diabetes, a history of cardiovascular disease, caution should be exercised. Men entering adulthood need to follow the instructions to avoid affecting the DNA code. Alimta can damage the structure of DNA, causing genetic damage later in life.
Patients who have undergone radiation therapy, mild and moderate renal failure or work related to machinery should report to their doctor for careful consideration before using the drug. In addition, nursing mothers or pregnant women should not take this medicine unless prescribed by the treating doctor.

Alimta side effects

According to patient practice combined with laboratory studies, Alimta drug can cause neutropenia or agranulocytosis syndrome. You may even experience low Hb, thrombocytopenia, and conjunctivitis.
Some of the patient's symptoms appear as side effects of the drug, such as digestive disorders, vomiting, sore throat, loss of appetite, fatigue, dehydration. Some patients have sensory neuropathy or increase in creatinine, decrease in ClCr, rash, hair loss on the body.

Drugs that interact when used in combination with Alimta

In prescription doses, Alimta can be used in combination with cisplatin. But if you take one of the following drugs, tell your doctor:
Aminoglycoside Platinum compound Probenecid Anti-inflammatory drug NS AID Anticoagulant Vaccine Diuretic drug Cyclosporin Penicillin Aspirin Alimta medicine comes as a dry powder mixed into a solution fluid during injection. You should heed the warnings above when taking the drug. The above information may not be complete, so when your body is tired and sluggish after Alimta infusion, please quickly notify your doctor for timely examination and handling.

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