pralatrexate

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Pronunciation: PRAL a TREX ate

Brand: Folotyn

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

Pralatrexate can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

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?

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.

Do not use pralatrexate if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy during your treatment with pralatrexate. Follow your doctor's instructions about how long to prevent pregnancy after your treatment ends.

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. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

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

Your doctor may have you take folic acid supplements starting 10 days before your first dose of pralatrexate and ending 30 days after your last dose. Your may also receive vitamin B12 injections every 8 to 10 weeks during treatment. This can help protect your blood cells from some of the side effects of pralatrexate. Follow your doctor's medication instructions very closely.

Pralatrexate can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

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?

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

What should I avoid while receiving pralatrexate?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using pralatrexate, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

What are the possible side effects of pralatrexate?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • bone marrow suppression --fever, chills, cold or flu symptoms, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, red or pink urine, painful mouth sores, cough, trouble breathing, feeling light-headed, rapid heart rate;
  • dehydration --feeling very thirsty or hot, are unable to urinate, and have heavy sweating or hot and dry skin;
  • low potassium --confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling);
  • severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation;
  • tired feeling;
  • 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?

Other drugs may interact with pralatrexate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

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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