alimta 500mg injection - Pemetrexed (500mg) medicine

Alimta 500mg Injection - Uses, Price, Side Effects

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๐Ÿญ Eli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd ๐Ÿ“ฆ Varies by brand ๐Ÿ’Š Allopathy ๐Ÿ“… Updated: Jul 3, 2026
๐Ÿ“‹ Prescription Required ๐Ÿ’Š Generic Available
Medically Reviewed
SaathiMed Expert Panel | Jul 03, 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
๐Ÿ’ก Did You Know? India is the largest provider of generic medicines globally, supplying over 50% of global vaccine demand.

๐Ÿ’Š 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

๐Ÿ“‹ Drug Information

Generic Name(s)Pemetrexed
Brand NameAlimta
ManufacturerEli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd
Packaging / FormVaries by brand (Allopathy)
Therapeutic ClassANTI NEOPLASTICS
Action ClassAntimetabolites
Route of AdministrationIntravenous infusion.
StorageStore at 25ยฐC (77ยฐF); excursions permitted to 15-30ยฐC. Protect from light.
Shelf LifeAs per manufacturer

๐Ÿ”ฌ 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.

๐Ÿ’ก How to Take alimta 500mg injection

Follow your doctor's prescription exactly.

Dosage Timeline

๐ŸŒ… Morning โœ… โ˜€๏ธ Afternoon โŒ ๐ŸŒ† Evening โœ… ๐ŸŒ™ Night โŒ

โš ๏ธ Side Effects of alimta 500mg injection

โœ… Common Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Anemia
  • Neutropenia
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Stomatitis
  • Anorexia

๐Ÿšจ Serious Side Effects

  • Myelosuppression
  • Renal failure
  • Interstitial pneumonitis
  • Severe skin reactions

โš ๏ธ Rare Side Effects

  • Radiation recall
  • Colitis
  • Pancreatitis

Consult your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Drug Interactions

โš ๏ธ DrugSeverityEffect
NSAIDs Moderate Increased risk of kidney toxicity
Nephrotoxic drugs Major Additive nephrotoxicity
Live vaccines Major Risk of disseminated infection

๐Ÿšจ Major Interactions

  • NSAIDs
  • Nephrotoxic drugs
  • Live vaccines

โšก Moderate Interactions

  • Warfarin
  • Aspirin
  • Probenecid

โ„น๏ธ Minor Interactions

  • Folic acid
  • Vitamin B12

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Food Interactions

No significant food interactions.

๐Ÿท Alcohol Interaction

Avoid alcohol due to potential hepatotoxicity.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Safety & Warnings

Liver
Moderate
Kidney
Moderate
Heart
Low
Pregnancy
Category D

๐Ÿšซ Contraindications

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

๐Ÿ“Š Monitoring Parameters

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

๐Ÿคฑ Lactation Safety

Contraindicated; discontinue breastfeeding.

๐Ÿ’Š Overdose Management

Supportive care; leucovorin may be considered.

โฐ Missed Dose

Do not double dose; consult physician.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€โš•๏ธ Reviewed by Expert

SaathiMed Expert Panel

MD, PhD - Pharmacology

Reviewed: Jul 03, 2026

๐Ÿ”— View Profile

๐Ÿ”„ Substitutes for alimta 500mg injection

View All

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

Medical Note: Always consult your doctor before switching medications.

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