Alitma

Were you looking for information about Alimta? Alitma is a common misspelling of Alimta.

Alimta^® (pemetrexed) is a type of chemotherapy medication. It is used to treat mesothelioma and non-squamous, non-small-cell lung cancer. The medicine is given as an injection (typically every 21 days), and it works by preventing folic acid from converting into its active form.

Because Alimta kills both cancer cells and healthy cells, side effects can be significant. In clinical studies, the most common side effects included nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Prior to starting treatment, tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medications or have any other medical conditions. Also, let him or her know if you are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.

(For more information, click Alimta. This article offers an in-depth overview of how the drug works, safety precautions, dosing guidelines, side effects, and more. You can also click any of the links in the box to the right for specific information.)