alimta 500mg injection - Pemetrexed (500mg) medicine

Alimta 500mg Injection - Uses, Price, Side Effects

4.8 (12 reviews)

Pemetrexed (500mg)

🏭 Eli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd 📦 Varies by brand 💊 Allopathy 📅 Updated: Aug 22, 2026

📋 Prescription Required 💊 Generic Available

Medically Reviewed

SaathiMed Expert Panel | Aug 22, 2026

What is alimta 500mg injection used for?

Alimta 500mg Injection contains Pemetrexed, an antineoplastic agent used to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer. It works by inhibiting enzymes involved in folate metabolism, thereby disrupting DNA synthesis and cancer cell growth. It is administered intravenously under medical supervision.

Generic Name: Pemetrexed
Manufacturer: Eli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd
Form: Allopathy
Pregnancy Category: D
Prescription Required: Yes

💡 Did You Know? The first generic medicine was introduced in India in 1970 after the Patents Act was amended.

💊 alimta 500mg injection Uses & Benefits

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (in combination with cisplatin), non-small cell lung cancer (first-line and maintenance).

Off-label uses: Bladder cancer, Breast cancer, Colorectal cancer

📋 Drug Information

Generic Name(s)	Pemetrexed
Brand Name	Alimta
Manufacturer	Eli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd
Packaging / Form	Varies by brand (Allopathy)
Therapeutic Class	ANTI NEOPLASTICS
Action Class	Antimetabolites
Route of Administration	Intravenous infusion.
Storage	Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C. Protect from light.
Shelf Life	As per manufacturer

🔬 Pharmacology (PK/PD)

Pharmacokinetics

AbsorptionIntravenous administration results in complete bioavailability.

DistributionDistributes widely into body tissues; volume of distribution approximately 16 L.

Protein BindingApproximately 81% bound to plasma proteins.

MetabolismMinimally metabolized; primarily excreted unchanged in urine.

Half-Life3.5 hours in patients with normal renal function.

ExcretionPrimarily renal (70-90% unchanged in urine within 24 hours).

Bioavailability100% (intravenous).

Onset of ActionNot applicable (cytotoxic agent with delayed effect).

Peak Plasma TimeEnd of infusion.

Duration of ActionDosing every 21 days.

How It Works

Inhibits thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT), disrupting folate-dependent synthesis of purines and pyrimidines.

Mechanism Steps

1Enters cells via folate receptors and reduced folate carrier.

2Intracellular polyglutamation by folylpolyglutamate synthetase.

3Inhibits thymidylate synthase (TS), blocking dTMP synthesis.

💡 How to Take alimta 500mg injection

Follow your doctor's prescription exactly.

Dosage Timeline

🌅 Morning ✅ ☀️ Afternoon ❌ 🌆 Evening ✅ 🌙 Night ❌

⚠️ Side Effects of alimta 500mg injection

✅ Common Side Effects

Nausea
Fatigue
Anemia
Neutropenia
Thrombocytopenia
Stomatitis
Anorexia

🚨 Serious Side Effects

Myelosuppression
Renal failure
Interstitial pneumonitis
Severe skin reactions

⚠️ Rare Side Effects

Radiation recall
Colitis
Pancreatitis

Consult your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.

🔬 Drug Interactions

⚠️ Drug	Severity	Effect
NSAIDs	Moderate	Increased risk of kidney toxicity
Nephrotoxic drugs	Major	Additive nephrotoxicity
Live vaccines	Major	Risk of disseminated infection

🚨 Major Interactions

NSAIDs
Nephrotoxic drugs
Live vaccines

⚡ Moderate Interactions

Warfarin
Aspirin
Probenecid

ℹ️ Minor Interactions

Folic acid
Vitamin B12

🍽️ Food Interactions

No significant food interactions.

🍷 Alcohol Interaction

Avoid alcohol due to potential hepatotoxicity.

🛡️ Safety & Warnings

Liver

Moderate

Kidney

Moderate

Heart

Low

Pregnancy

Category D

🚫 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity, severe renal impairment (CrCl <45 mL/min), pregnancy, breastfeeding.

📊 Monitoring Parameters

Complete blood count, renal function, liver function, folic acid and vitamin B12 levels.

🤱 Lactation Safety

Contraindicated; discontinue breastfeeding.

💊 Overdose Management

Supportive care; leucovorin may be considered.

⏰ Missed Dose

Do not double dose; consult physician.

👨‍⚕️ Reviewed by Expert

SaathiMed Expert Panel

MD, PhD - Pharmacology

Last reviewed on: Aug 22, 2026

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🔄 Substitutes for alimta 500mg injection

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Alternative brands with exact same active ingredient (Pemetrexed (500mg)):

Medical Note: Always consult your doctor before switching medications.

⭐ User Reviews

Regular Customer Jul 10, 2026

Good quality medicine. Satisfied with the outcome.

Verified User Jul 10, 2026

Effective and reliable. Worked as expected.

Trusted Reviewer Jul 10, 2026