Pemetrexed is used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma.
How Pemetrexed works: Pemetrexed interferes with the growth of DNA and RNA in cancer cells by substituting their building blocks. This action prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
Common side effects of Pemetrexed include nausea, vomiting, sore throat, loss of appetite, stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), hair loss, low blood platelets, rash, fatigue, anemia (low number of red blood cells), diarrhea, decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils), and neuropathy.