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pralatrexate

Pronunciation: PRAL a TREX ate
Brand: Folotyn

What is the most important information I should know about pralatrexate?

Before you receive pralatrexate, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.

nopreg Do not use pralatrexate if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
nobrfeed You should not breast-feed a baby while you are being treated with pralatrexate.
emt You may be required to take oral folic acid supplements and receive vitamin B12 injections to help prevent some of the side effects of pralatrexate. Follow your doctor's medication instructions very closely.
emt To make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
donot Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as fever, flu symptoms, mouth ulcers, easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, rapid heart rate, trouble breathing, weakness, or feeling like you might pass out.

What is pralatrexate?

Pralatrexate is a cancer medication.

Pralatrexate is used to treat T-cell lymphoma that has spread throughout the body.

Pralatrexate is given for relapsed T-cell lymphoma, or after other medications have been tried without successful treatment.

Pralatrexate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving pralatrexate?

donot You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to it.

To make sure you can safely use pralatrexate, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.

nopreg FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use pralatrexate if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
nobrfeed It is not known whether pralatrexate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed a baby while you are being treated with pralatrexate.

How is pralatrexate given?

Pralatrexate is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

Pralatrexate is usually given once per week for up to 6 weeks at a time. Follow your doctor's instructions.

emt You may be required to take daily folic acid supplements starting 10 days before your first dose of pralatrexate and ending 30 days after your last dose. Your doctor may also give you injections of vitamin B12 every 8 to 10 weeks while you are being treated with pralatrexate.

Using vitamin B12 and folic acid can help protect your blood cells from some of the side effects of pralatrexate. Follow your doctor's medication instructions very closely.

emt To make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your pralatrexate injection.

What happens if I overdose?

emt Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include some of the serious side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid while receiving pralatrexate?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of pralatrexate?

emt Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
donot Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
  • taste loss, mouth pain, redness or ulcers, or white-yellow mouth sores;
  • easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, rapid heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, fainting;
  • pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, trouble concentrating;
  • weakness, decreased sweating, hot or dry skin; or
  • confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
  • diarrhea, constipation;
  • tired feeling;
  • cough;
  • swelling; or
  • mild rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect pralatrexate?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

  • probenecid (Benemid);
  • trimethoprim (Bactrim, Proloprim, Septra, SMX-TMP); or
  • aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), meloxicam (Mobic), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with pralatrexate. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about pralatrexate.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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