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Alimta

Pemetrexed disodium · Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution

Prescription NDA TE AP RLD Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information.

Overview

Brand name
Alimta
Generic name
Pemetrexed disodium
Dosage form
Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution
Route
Intravenous
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
Eli Lilly and Company
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
2
NDC product codes
2
Packages
2
Data completeness
77% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Pemetrexed Disodium Heptahydrate 100 mg/4mL 1728072 View
Pemetrexed Disodium Heptahydrate 500 mg/20mL 1728072 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution
Route of administration
Intravenous
Presentations
4

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Folate Analog Metabolic Inhibitor [EPC] EPC All 21 members
Folic Acid Metabolism Inhibitors [MoA] MoA All 19 members

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
021462
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
February 4, 2004
Sponsor
LILLY
Products on application
2
Submissions recorded
26
Products approved under application 021462.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
021462-001 ALIMTA POWDER PEMETREXED DISODIUM Prescription AP RLD RS
021462-002 ALIMTA POWDER PEMETREXED DISODIUM Prescription AP RLD RS

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AP
Reference Listed Drug
Yes
Reference Standard
Yes

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated (parenteral aqueous solutions)

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 021462.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 55 Efficacy Approved August 31, 2022 Standard
Supplement 53 Efficacy Approved January 30, 2019 Standard
Supplement 51 Efficacy Approved June 4, 2018 Standard
Supplement 52 Labeling Approved April 17, 2018 Standard
Supplement 50 Labeling Approved October 11, 2017 Standard
Supplement 49 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved January 8, 2016 Priority
Supplement 47 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved August 11, 2014 Priority
Supplement 45 Labeling Approved September 12, 2013 Standard
Supplement 41 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved March 13, 2013 Priority
Supplement 42 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved January 18, 2013 Priority
Supplement 43 Labeling Approved November 9, 2012 Standard
Supplement 39 Efficacy Approved October 17, 2012 Standard
Supplement 40 Labeling Approved June 4, 2012 Standard
Supplement 32 Labeling Approved November 18, 2011 Standard
Supplement 30 Labeling Approved November 18, 2011 Unknown
Supplement 29 Efficacy Approved November 18, 2011 Standard
Supplement 33 Efficacy Approved March 17, 2011 Priority
Supplement 22 Labeling Approved July 2, 2009 Standard
Supplement 21 Efficacy Approved July 2, 2009 Unknown
Supplement 18 Labeling Approved July 2, 2009 Standard
Supplement 15 Efficacy Approved September 26, 2008 Standard
Supplement 12 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved September 7, 2007 N/A
Supplement 6 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved February 2, 2007 N/A
Supplement 4 Labeling Approved July 28, 2006 Standard
Supplement 1 Labeling Approved August 19, 2004 Standard
Original application 1 Type 1 - New Molecular Entity Approved February 4, 2004 Priority

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · September 1, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · September 1, 2022
  • 0 · Supplement · December 23, 2020
  • 0 · Supplement · February 13, 2019
  • 0 · Supplement · January 31, 2019
  • 0 · Supplement · June 5, 2018
  • 0 · Supplement · June 5, 2018
  • 0 · Supplement · April 20, 2018
  • 0 · Supplement · October 12, 2017
  • 0 · Supplement · October 12, 2017
  • 0 · Supplement · September 17, 2013
  • 0 · Supplement · September 13, 2013
  • 0 · Supplement · January 22, 2013
  • 0 · Supplement · November 15, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · November 14, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · October 18, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · October 17, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · June 7, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · June 5, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · November 25, 2011
  • 0 · Supplement · November 25, 2011
  • 0 · Supplement · November 23, 2011
  • 0 · Supplement · November 22, 2011
  • 0 · Supplement · November 22, 2011
  • 0 · Supplement · November 22, 2011
  • 0 · Supplement · September 22, 2011
  • 0 · Supplement · March 23, 2011
  • 0 · Supplement · March 21, 2011
  • 0 · Supplement · July 9, 2009
  • 0 · Supplement · July 9, 2009

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20230519). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20230519

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ALIMTA ® is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor indicated: in combination with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy, for the initial treatment of patients with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. ( 1.1 ) in combination with cisplatin for the initial treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic, non-squamous NSCLC. ( 1.1 ) as a single agent for the maintenance treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic, non-squamous NSCLC whose disease has not progressed after four cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. ( 1.1 ) as a single agent for the treatment of patients with recurrent, metastatic non-squamous, NSCLC after prior chemotherapy. ( 1.1 ) Limitations of Use: ALIMTA is not indicated for the treatment of patients with squamous cell, non-small cell lung cancer. ( 1.1 ) initial treatment, in combination with cisplatin, of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma whose disease is unresectable or who are otherwise not candidates for curative surgery. ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) ALIMTA ® is indicated: in combination with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy, for the initial treatment of patients with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. in combination with cisplatin for the initial treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic, non-squamous NSCLC. as a single agent for the maintenance treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic, non-squamous NSCLC whose disease has not progressed after four cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. as a single agent for the treatment of patients with recurrent, metastatic non-squamous, NSCLC after prior chemotherapy. Limitations of Use: ALIMTA is not indicated for the treatment of patients with squamous cell, non-small cell lung cancer [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. 1.2 Mesothelioma ALIMTA is indicated, in combination with cisplatin, for the initial treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma whose disease is unresectable or who are otherwise not candidates for curative surgery.

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dose of ALIMTA administered with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy in patients with a creatinine clearance (calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation) of 45 mL/min or greater is 500 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes, administered after pembrolizumab and prior to platinum chemotherapy, on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. ( 2.1 ) The recommended dose of ALIMTA, administered as a single agent or with cisplatin, in patients with creatinine clearance of 45 mL/minute or greater is 500 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle. ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) Initiate folic acid 400 mcg to 1000 mcg orally, once daily, beginning 7 days prior to the first dose of ALIMTA and continue until 21 days after the last dose of ALIMTA. ( 2.4 ) Administer vitamin B 12 , 1 mg intramuscularly, 1 week prior to the first dose of ALIMTA and every 3 cycles. ( 2.4 ) Administer dexamethasone 4 mg orally, twice daily the day before, the day of, and the day after ALIMTA administration. ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage for Non-Squamous NSCLC The recommended dose of ALIMTA when administered with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy for the initial treatment of metastatic non-squamous NSCLC in patients with a creatinine clearance (calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation) of 45 mL/min or greater is 500 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes administered after pembrolizumab and prior to carboplatin or cisplatin on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for 4 cycles. Following completion of platinum-based therapy, treatment with ALIMTA with or without pembrolizumab is administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Please refer to the full prescribing information for pembrolizumab and for carboplatin or cisplatin. The recommended dose of ALIMTA when administered with cisplatin for initial treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC in patients with a creatinine clearance (calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation) of 45 mL/min or greater is 500 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes administered prior to cisplatin on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for up to six cycles in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The recommended dose of ALIMTA for maintenance treatment of non-squamous NSCLC in patients with a creatinine clearance (calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation) of 45 mL/min or greater is 500 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity after four cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. The recommended dose of ALIMTA for treatment of recurrent non-squamous NSCLC in patients with a creatinine clearance (calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation) of 45 mL/min or greater is 500 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Mesothelioma The recommended dose of ALIMTA when administered with cisplatin in patients with a creatinine clearance (calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation) of 45 mL/min or greater is 500 mg/m 2 as an intravenous infusion over 10 minutes on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. 2.3 Renal Impairment ALIMTA dosing recommendations are provided for patients with a creatinine clearance (calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation) of 45 mL/min or greater [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 , 2.2 )] . There is no recommended dose for patients whose creatinine clearance is less than 45 mL/min [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )] . 2.4 Premedication and Concomitant Medications to Mitigate Toxicity Vitamin Supplementation Initiate folic acid 400 mcg to 1000 mcg orally once daily, beginning 7 days before the first dose of ALIMTA and continuing until 21 days after the last dose of ALIMTA [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Administer vitamin B 12 , 1 mg intramuscular …

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS For injection: 100 mg or 500 mg pemetrexed as a white to light-yellow or green-yellow lyophilized powder in single-dose vials for reconstitution. For Injection: 100 mg or 500 mg lyophilized powder in single-dose vial ( 3 )

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS ALIMTA is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to pemetrexed [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. History of severe hypersensitivity reaction to pemetrexed. ( 4 )

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Myelosuppression: Can cause severe bone marrow suppression resulting in cytopenia and an increased risk of infection. Do not administer ALIMTA when the absolute neutrophil count is less than 1500 cells/mm 3 and platelets are less than 100,000 cells/mm 3 . Initiate supplementation with oral folic acid and intramuscular vitamin B 12 to reduce the severity of hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity of ALIMTA. ( 2.4 , 5.1 ) Renal Failure: Can cause severe, and sometimes fatal, renal failure. Do not administer when creatinine clearance is less than 45 mL/min. ( 2.3 , 5.2 ) Bullous and Exfoliative Skin Toxicity: Permanently discontinue for severe and life-threatening bullous, blistering or exfoliating skin toxicity. ( 5.3 ) Interstitial Pneumonitis: Withhold for acute onset of new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms. Permanently discontinue if pneumonitis is confirmed. ( 5.4 ) Radiation Recall: Can occur in patients who received radiation weeks to years previously; permanently discontinue for signs of radiation recall. ( 5.5 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.7 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Myelosuppression and Increased Risk of Myelosuppression without Vitamin Supplementation ALIMTA can cause severe myelosuppression resulting in a requirement for transfusions and which may lead to neutropenic infection. The risk of myelosuppression is increased in patients who do not receive vitamin supplementation. In Study JMCH, incidences of Grade 3-4 neutropenia (38% versus 23%), thrombocytopenia (9% versus 5%), febrile neutropenia (9% versus 0.6%), and neutropenic infection (6% versus 0) were higher in patients who received ALIMTA plus cisplatin without vitamin supplementation as compared to patients who were fully supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B 12 prior to and throughout ALIMTA plus cisplatin treatment. Initiate supplementation with oral folic acid and intramuscular vitamin B 12 prior to the first dose of ALIMTA; continue vitamin supplementation during treatment and for 21 days after the last dose of ALIMTA to reduce the severity of hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity of ALIMTA [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )] . Obtain a complete blood count at the beginning of each cycle. Do not administer ALIMTA until the ANC is at least 1500 cells/mm 3 and platelet count is at least 100,000 cells/mm 3 . Permanently reduce ALIMTA in patients with an ANC of less than 500 cells/mm 3 or platelet count of less than 50,000 cells/mm 3 in previous cycles [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.6 )] . In Studies JMDB and JMCH, among patients who received vitamin supplementation, incidence of Grade 3-4 neutropenia was 15% and 23%, the incidence of Grade 3-4 anemia was 6% and 4%, and incidence of Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia was 4% and 5%, respectively. In Study JMCH, 18% of patients in the ALIMTA arm required red blood cell transfusions compared to 7% of patients in the cisplatin arm [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )]. In Studies JMEN, PARAMOUNT, and JMEI, where all patients received vitamin supplementation, incidence of Grade 3-4 neutropenia ranged from 3% to 5%, and incidence of Grade 3-4 anemia ranged from 3% to 5%. 5.2 Renal Failure ALIMTA can cause severe, and sometimes fatal, renal toxicity. The incidences of renal failure in clinical studies in which patients received ALIMTA with cisplatin were: 2.1% in Study JMDB and 2.2% in Study JMCH. The incidence of renal failure in clinical studies in which patients received ALIMTA as a single agent ranged from 0.4% to 0.6% (Studies JMEN, PARAMOUNT, and JMEI [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Determine creatinine clearance before each dose and periodically monitor renal function during treatment with ALIMTA. Withhold ALIMTA in patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 45 mL/minute [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )] . 5.3 Bullous and Exfoliative Skin Toxicity Serious a …

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Renal failure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Bullous and exfoliative skin toxicity [see Warning and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Interstitial pneumonitis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Radiation recall [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) of ALIMTA, when administered as a single agent are fatigue, nausea, and anorexia. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) of ALIMTA when administered with cisplatin are vomiting, neutropenia, anemia, stomatitis/pharyngitis, thrombocytopenia, and constipation. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) of ALIMTA when administered in combination with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy are fatigue/asthenia, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite, rash, vomiting, cough, dyspnea, and pyrexia. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Eli Lilly and Company at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reactions rates cannot be directly compared to rates in other clinical trials and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) of ALIMTA, when administered as a single agent, are fatigue, nausea, and anorexia. The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) of ALIMTA, when administered in combination with cisplatin are vomiting, neutropenia, anemia, stomatitis/pharyngitis, thrombocytopenia, and constipation. The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) of ALIMTA, when administered in combination with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy, are fatigue/asthenia, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite, rash, vomiting, cough, dyspnea, and pyrexia. Non-Squamous NSCLC First-line Treatment of Metastatic Non-squamous NSCLC with Pembrolizumab and Platinum Chemotherapy The safety of ALIMTA, in combination with pembrolizumab and investigator's choice of platinum (either carboplatin or cisplatin), was investigated in Study KEYNOTE-189, a multicenter, double-blind, randomized (2:1), active-controlled trial in patients with previously untreated, metastatic non-squamous NSCLC with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. A total of 607 patients received ALIMTA, pembrolizumab, and platinum every 3 weeks for 4 cycles followed by ALIMTA and pembrolizumab (n=405), or placebo, ALIMTA, and platinum every 3 weeks for 4 cycles followed by placebo and ALIMTA (n=202). Patients with autoimmune disease that required systemic therapy within 2 years of treatment; a medical condition that required immunosuppression; or who had received more than 30 Gy of thoracic radiation within the prior 26 weeks were ineligible [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . The median duration of exposure to ALIMTA was 7.2 months (range: 1 day to 1.7 years). Seventy-two percent of patients received carboplatin. The study population characteristics were: median age of 64 years (range: 34 to 84), 49% age 65 years or older, 59% male, 94% White and 3% Asian, and 18% with history of brain metastases at baseline. ALIMTA was discontinued for adverse reactions in 23% of patients in the ALIMTA, pembrolizumab, and platinum arm. The most common adverse reactions resulting in discontinuation of ALIMTA in this arm were acute kidney injury (3%) and pneumonitis (2%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of ALIMTA occurred in 49% of patients in the ALIMTA, pembrolizumab, and platinum arm. The most common adverse reactions or laboratory abnormalities leading to interruption of ALIMTA in this arm (≥2%) were neutropenia (12%), anemia (7%), asthenia (4%), pneumonia (4%), thrombocytopenia (4%), increased blood creatinine (3%), …

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Ibuprofen increased risk of ALIMTA toxicity in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. Modify the ibuprofen dosage as recommended for patients with a creatinine clearance between 45 mL/min and 79 mL/min. ( 2.5 , 5.6 , 7 ) Effects of Ibuprofen on Pemetrexed Ibuprofen increases exposure (AUC) of pemetrexed [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . In patients with creatinine clearance between 45 mL/min and 79 mL/min: Avoid administration of ibuprofen for 2 days before, the day of, and 2 days following administration of ALIMTA [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 )] . Monitor patients more frequently for myelosuppression, renal, and gastrointestinal toxicity, if concomitant administration of ibuprofen cannot be avoided.

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Lactation: Advise not to breastfeed. ( 8.2 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, ALIMTA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )] . There are no available data on ALIMTA use in pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, intravenous administration of pemetrexed to pregnant mice during the period of organogenesis was teratogenic, resulting in developmental delays and malformations at doses lower than the recommended human dose of 500 mg/m 2 [see Data ] . Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus [see Use in Special Populations ( 8.3 )] . In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Pemetrexed was teratogenic in mice. Daily dosing of pemetrexed by intravenous injection to pregnant mice during the period of organogenesis increased the incidence of fetal malformations (cleft palate; protruding tongue; enlarged or misshaped kidney; and fused lumbar vertebra) at doses (based on BSA) 0.03 times the human dose of 500 mg/m 2 . At doses, based on BSA, greater than or equal to 0.0012 times the 500 mg/m 2 human dose, pemetrexed administration resulted in dose-dependent increases in developmental delays (incomplete ossification of talus and skull bone; and decreased fetal weight). 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There is no information regarding the presence of pemetrexed or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from ALIMTA, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with ALIMTA and for one week after the last dose. 8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Based on animal data ALIMTA can cause malformations and developmental delays when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . Pregnancy Testing Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating Pemetrexed Injection [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] . Contraception Females Because of the potential for genotoxicity, advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ALIMTA and for 6 months after the last dose. Males Because of the potential for genotoxicity, advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ALIMTA and for 3 months after the last dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] . Infertility Males ALIMTA may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential. It is not known whether these effects on fertility are reversible [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )] . 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of ALIMTA in pediatric patients have not been established. The safety and pharmacokinetics of ALIMTA were evaluated in two clinical studies conducted in pediatric patients with recurrent solid tumors (NCT00070473 N=32 and NCT00520936 N=72). Patients in both studies received concomitant vitamin B 12 and folic acid supplementation and dexamethasone. No tumor responses were observed. Adverse reactions observed in pediatric patients were similar to those observed in adults. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of ALIMTA were evaluated in 22 patients age 4 to 18 years enrolled in NCT00070473 were within range of values in adults. 8.5 Geriatric Use Of the 3,946 patients enrolled in clinical studies of ALIMTA, 34% were 65 and over and 4% were 75 and over. No overall differences in effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients. The incidences of Grade 3-4 anemia, fatigue, thrombocytopenia, hypertension, and neutropenia were higher in patients 65 years of age and older as compared to younger patients: in at least one of five randomized clinic …

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action ALIMTA is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor that disrupts folate-dependent metabolic processes essential for cell replication. In vitro studies show that pemetrexed inhibits thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT), which are folate-dependent enzymes involved in the de novo biosynthesis of thymidine and purine nucleotides. Pemetrexed is taken into cells by membrane carriers such as the reduced folate carrier and membrane folate binding protein transport systems. Once in the cell, pemetrexed is converted to polyglutamate forms by the enzyme folylpolyglutamate synthetase. The polyglutamate forms are retained in cells and are inhibitors of TS and GARFT.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION ALIMTA (pemetrexed for injection) is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor. The drug substance, pemetrexed disodium heptahydrate, has the chemical name L-glutamic acid, N -[4-[2-(2-amino-4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-1 H -pyrrolo[2,3- d ]pyrimidin-5-yl)ethyl]benzoyl]-, disodium salt, heptahydrate with a molecular formula of C 20 H 19 N 5 Na 2 O 6 •7H 2 O and a molecular weight of 597.49. The structural formula is as follows: ALIMTA is a sterile white-to-light yellow or green-yellow lyophilized powder in single-dose vials to be reconstituted for intravenous infusion. Each 100-mg vial of ALIMTA contains 100 mg pemetrexed (equivalent to 139.8 mg pemetrexed disodium heptahydrate) and 106 mg mannitol. Each 500-mg vial of ALIMTA contains 500 mg pemetrexed (equivalent to 699 mg pemetrexed disodium heptahydrate) and 500 mg mannitol. Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may have been added to adjust pH. Structural Formula

10 OVERDOSAGE No drugs are approved for the treatment of ALIMTA overdose. Based on animal studies, administration of leucovorin may mitigate the toxicities of ALIMTA overdosage. It is not known whether pemetrexed is dialyzable.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING How Supplied ALIMTA, pemetrexed for injection, is a white-to-light yellow or green-yellow lyophilized powder supplied in single-dose vials for reconstitution for intravenous infusion. NDC 0002-7640-01 (VL7640): Carton containing one (1) single-dose vial of 100 mg pemetrexed. NDC 0002-7623-01 (VL7623): Carton containing one (1) single-dose vial of 500 mg pemetrexed. Storage and Handling Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15 °C -30 °C (59 °F - 86 °F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. ALIMTA is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1

How Supplied ALIMTA, pemetrexed for injection, is a white-to-light yellow or green-yellow lyophilized powder supplied in single-dose vials for reconstitution for intravenous infusion. NDC 0002-7640-01 (VL7640): Carton containing one (1) single-dose vial of 100 mg pemetrexed. NDC 0002-7623-01 (VL7623): Carton containing one (1) single-dose vial of 500 mg pemetrexed.

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
0
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Shortages

Source: FDA Drug Shortages
Availability records from the FDA Drug Shortages database.
Status Availability Company Presentation Updated
To Be Discontinued Eli Lilly and Co. Alimta, Injection, 100 mg/4 mL (NDC 0002-7640-01) October 16, 2025
To Be Discontinued Eli Lilly and Co. Alimta, Injection, 500 mg/20 mL (NDC 0002-7623-01) October 16, 2025

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
0002-7623-01 0002-7623 Eli Lilly and Company 1 VIAL in 1 CARTON (0002-7623-01) / 20 mL in 1 VIAL February 13, 2004
0002-7640-01 0002-7640 Eli Lilly and Company 1 VIAL in 1 CARTON (0002-7640-01) / 4 mL in 1 VIAL January 15, 2008
0002-7623 0002-7623 Eli Lilly and Company — February 4, 2004
0002-7640 0002-7640 Eli Lilly and Company — September 7, 2007

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
Drug Shortages FDA Supply availability

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