Drug Interactions With Pemetrexed

Problems can occur if you take probenecid, Advil, or a number of other medicines with pemetrexed. These drug interactions can increase your risk of side effects and affect the way your kidneys handle this chemotherapy medication. To reduce your risk of problems, tell your healthcare provider about all medications you are currently taking before starting treatment.

An Overview of Pemetrexed Interactions

Pemetrexed (Alimta®) can potentially interact with a few other medications. Some of the medicines that may lead to drug interactions with pemetrexed include:
 
 
  • Probenecid.
     

More Information on Drug Interactions With Pemetrexed

The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when pemetrexed is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
 
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs may decrease kidney function, which may increase the level of pemetrexed in the blood, thereby increasing the risk of side effects of pemetrexed. For people with normal kidney function, it is generally okay to combine pemetrexed with ibuprofen.
 
For other NSAIDs, your healthcare provider may recommend that you avoid taking the NSAID for a specific period before and after each pemetrexed dosage. The exact period depends upon the particular NSAID.
 
Check with your healthcare provider before combining any NSAID with pemetrexed.

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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