Mesothelioma Treatment - Chemotherapy - Alimta
Historically, mesothelioma has been one of the most difficult forms of asbestos cancer to treat. Though doctors have been prescribing chemotherapy for decades, it seems that few chemo agents have had much effect on the aggressive, hard-to-fight disease.
Among recently approved drugs, however, one stands out as having the most promise in regards to prolonging the life of the mesothelioma patient and also improving his/her quality of life.
Alimta (Premetrexed), manufactured by drug maker Eli Lilly, is a newer chemotherapy drug that has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Often used in conjunction with Cisplatin, another chemo drug, Alimta is the first drug that is specifically approved for the treatment of mesothelioma and is considered to be the most effective chemotherapy treatment for pleural mesothelioma for those patients who are not candidates for surgery.
Alimta is a multi-targeted antifolate drug that works by blocking the enzymes that are required for DNA copying and cell division. During clinical trials, Alimta, used in tandem with Cisplatin, added an average of three months to the lives of malignant mesothelioma patients and also helped to reduce the symptoms of the disease.
Treatment with Alimta
As with any drug, it is imperative that you discuss the use of Alimta and Cisplatin with your doctor before beginning cancer treatment. Your oncologist will provide facts about the effectiveness of Alimta, the administration of the drug, and the side effects that you may encounter. When you begin treatment with Alimta, your cancer doctor will also recommend that you receive B12 supplements by injection and that you take folic acid by mouth daily, which you should continue for 21 days after the last dosage cycle of Alimta. Your physician will also give you an oral steroid to help minimize side effects such as skin rash. Inform your doctor of all other medications, prescription and non-prescription, that you take on a regular basis so as to avoid dangerous interactions.
Alimta is given to mesothelioma patients every 21 days on an outpatient basis. The treatment consists of a 10-minute IV infusion of Alimta, followed by two hours of Cisplatin. The number of cycles that you are required to take will depend on your response to the medications as well as any side effects that you experience.
Side Affects of Alimta
The side effects of Alimta are usually mild to moderate for most patients with pleural mesothelioma and include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
However, some patients may experience extreme side effects and your doctor should be informed immediately if you suspect a problem.
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