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What is Pemetrexed?

What is Pemetrexed?

December 14, 2021
Sanjay Juneja, MD
Sanjay Juneja, MD

Medical Oncology

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Transcript

If you have adenocarcinoma, then you can use a platinum drug like carboplatinum or cisplatin, but you’ll probably get something called pemetrexed. Pemetrexed is generally better tolerated than the taxol that you use with the non adenocarcinoma forms like squamous cell.

 

But it’s very important to be on folic acid when you’re getting on Pemetrexed because your folate can get low. When your folate is low, you’ll also have neuropathy in your hands and feet, but you’ll start getting anemic, and those red blood cells will actually be bigger than they’re supposed to be.

 

Key Takeaways

1. If you have adenocarcinoma, you’ll probably get something called pemetrexed.

2. Pemetrexed is generally better tolerated than the taxol that you use with the non adenocarcinoma forms like squamous cell.

3. But it’s very important to be on folic acid when you’re getting on Pemetrexed because your folate can get low.

4. When your folate is low, you’ll also have neuropathy in your hands and feet, but you’ll also start getting anemic.