Pemetrexed

Pemetrexed should be administered only under the supervision of a Reference medical oncologist Opens New Window. He or she will regularly monitor your blood cell counts and your kidney and liver functions.

You may not be able to become pregnant or father a child after taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor about fertility before starting treatment.

Your doctor can prescribe Reference medicines to help you manage any nausea or vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

People who use pemetrexed will need to take Reference vitamin B12 Opens New Window, Reference folate Opens New Window, and Reference corticosteroids Opens New Window to decrease the risk of side effects from this medicine.

Reference Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Opens New Window, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, are often stopped for 2 days before and during treatment with pemetrexed, to avoid kidney problems.

Taking medicine

Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.

There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Reference Taking Medicines as Prescribed.

Advice for women

Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant. If you need to use this medicine, talk to your doctor about how you can prevent pregnancy.

Checkups

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) to help you understand this medication.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.