Alimta

Alimta is a prescription chemotherapy medication which is used to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma – a cancer that affects the inner lining of the chest cavity and non squamous lung cancer. Alimta is not indicated for patients who have a different type of non-small cell lung cancer. This drug is available in most of the Canadian pharmacies. Alimta belongs to a group of drugs known as folate antimetabolites. It works by preventing the conversion of folic acid into its active form. Alimta is selective for cancer cells, which means that it is more likely to target the cancer cells instead of healthy cells.

Alimta may be given along with another anticancer drug Cisplatin which is again available with most Canadian pharmacies depending on whether the patient has had previous treatment for lung cancer and if it is the initial treatment with Alimta.

The Canadian drugs come as an injection and is slowly infused in to the vein. Each infusion takes about ten minutes and one may receive one infusion every 21 days. Then, 30 minutes after receiving Alimta, the patient will receive Cisplatin. It total it takes about 2 hours to complete the infusion and after these infusions the patient will not receive any more chemotherapy during the 21 day cycle. As a part of the treatment, one may receive additional medications including Vitamin B12, folic acid and corticosteroids. The dosage of the drug the doctor recommends will vary depending on various factors which include body surface and how well a patient responds to the medication especially if they develop any side effects. The Canadian drug just like any medicine can cause side effects if not consumed with care. As with most chemotherapy medications the side effects of this medication can be significant. Some of the most common side effects of Alimta are fatigue, nausea and loss of appetite. 

As it is a prescription chemotherapy drug, hair loss is one of the possible side effects it may cause. Reports have shown that up to 7% of people who took Alimta alone have suffered hair loss. Hair loss is seen because chemotherapy affects all fast growing cells through the whole body. It can also suppress bone marrow function which may cause low blood cell counts and may not be appropriate for some patients. If one is allergic to Alimta it is important that they notify their doctors as it can prove dangerous.