What is maintenance pemetrexed?

Maintenance pemetrexed is a feasible option for the patients achieving disease control in locally advanced and metastatic non squamous NSCLC among the Indian population. Patients receiving maintenance pemetrexed enjoy longer progression free and OS with delay in symptomatic worsening.

What is maintenance chemotherapy for lung cancer?

Maintenance therapy is ongoing therapy for a disease that is administered after the acute phase of treatment has been completed. In the case of lung cancer, you would undergo first-line chemotherapy for a limited period of time, and then you might receive maintenance therapy to keep the cancer in check.

How long can you take pemetrexed?

You might have 4 to 6 treatments, taking 3 to 6 months in total. You have the following to reduce the side effects of pemetrexed and cisplatin. You take folic acid tablets starting 5 days before you begin treatment, continuing throughout treatment, and for 3 weeks after treatment ends.

Is pemetrexed an immunotherapy?

The approval of pemetrexed and carboplatin with anti-PD-1 (pembrolizumab) for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer represents the first approved chemotherapy and immunotherapy combination.

Who makes Alimta?

Alimta (pemetrexed) is a chemotherapy drug manufactured by Eli Lilly and has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer. Mylan isn’t the first to develop generics for Alimta.

When does maintenance stop for chemo?

Cancer treatment is at its most effective the first time that it’s used. If you’ve undergone three or more chemotherapy treatments for your cancer and the tumors continue to grow or spread, it may be time for you to consider stopping chemotherapy.

How often do you get maintenance chemo?

Depending on the drug or combination of drugs, each treatment can last a few hours or a few days. You may have treatments every week or every 2, 3 or 4 weeks.

Can you be on chemo for years?

Still, it’s important to know that even those who are not cured of cancer may go on living for months or years, even though there may be changes in their lives. Many families adjust to this kind of treatment schedule.

What is the recommended dose of cisplatin for patients with Alimta?

The recommended dose of cisplatin is 75 mg/m2 infused over 2 hours beginning approximately 30 minutes after the end of ALIMTA administration. Patients should receive appropriate hydration prior to and/or after receiving cisplatin. See cisplatin package insert for more information.

What are the medications to reduce toxicity of Alimta?

Premedication and Concomitant Medications to Mitigate Toxicity. Initiate folic acid 400 mcg to 1000 mcg orally once daily, beginning 7 days before the first dose of ALIMTA and continuing until 21 days after the last dose of ALIMTA [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Administer vitamin B 12, 1 mg intramuscularly,…

How is cisplatin + pemetrexed used to treat lung cancer?

Cisplatin + pemetrexed can be given either after surgery to eliminate microscopic cells, or cisplatin + pemetrexed can be given before surgery to shrink the size of the tumor and minimize the size of the lung surgery.