Pralatrexate Injection

Pralatrexate injection is used to treat peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL; a form of cancer that begins in a certain type of cells in the immune system) that has not improved or that has come back after treatment with other medications. Pralatrexate injection has not been shown to help people who have lymphoma live longer. Pralatrexate injection is in a class of medications called folate analogue metabolic inhibitors. It works by killing cancer cells.

Pralatrexate injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic. It is usually given over a period of 3 to 5 minutes once a week for 6 weeks as part of a 7-week cycle. Your treatment will probably continue until your condition worsens or you develop serious side effects. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose, skip a dose, or stop your treatment if you experience certain side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with pralatrexate injection. You will need to take folic acid and vitamin B<span class='sub'>12</span> during your treatment with pralatrexate injection to help prevent certain side effects. Your doctor will probably tell you to take folic acid by mouth every day beginning 10 days before you start your treatment and for 30 days after your final dose of pralatrexate injection. Your doctor will also probably tell you that you will need to receive a vitamin B<span class='sub'>12</span> injection no more than 10 weeks before your first dose of pralatrexate injection and every 8 to 10 weeks for as long as your treatment continues.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Pralatrexate injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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nausea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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constipation</li>
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decreased appetite</li>
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tiredness</li>
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weakness</li>
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rash</li>
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itching</li>
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night sweats</li>
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stomach, back, arm, or leg pain</li>
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swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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white patches or sores on the lips or in the mouth and throat</li>
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fever, sore throat, cough, chills, or other signs of infection</li>
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unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
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bleeding gums</li>
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nosebleeds</li>
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small red or purple dots on the skin</li>
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blood in the urine or stool</li>
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shortness of breath</li>
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chest pain</li>
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fast or irregular heartbeat</li>
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pale skin</li>
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cold hands and feet</li>
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extreme thirst</li>
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dry, sticky mouth</li>
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sunken eyes</li>
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decreased urination</li>
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dizziness or lightheadedness</li></ul>Pralatrexate injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before receiving pralatrexate injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pralatrexate injection, or any other medications, or any of the ingredients in pralatrexate injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); probenecid (Probalan), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving pralatrexate injection.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.