ALIMTA AND CISPLATIN: FDA APPROVED TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a mineral that is milled into microscopic fibers. Currently, Alimta and Cisplatin are the only prescription drugs to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients afflicted with malignant mesothelioma.

In studies, such as those published in the July 2006 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, patients who took Alimta (pemetrexed) with or without cisplatin--a widely used, platinum-containing, chemotherapy drug--demonstrated a marked improvement in their condition. This is welcome news for people dealing with Malignant Mesothelioma, which is a notoriously difficult to treat with medication or surgery.

Manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company, Alimta, operates by impeding the enzymes that cancer cells require to reproduce. While Alimta and Cisplatin will not cleanse cancer from the body, these mesothelioma medications may extend a patient's lifespan.

It is essential that before a patient begins taking Alimta and Cisplatin that he or she informs their doctor if they are currently taking ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat pain or arthritis. Also, patients should notify their physician of any kidney problems.

It is advisable that patients take 350 to 1000 micrograms of folic acid per day, for five days, the week before they begin Alimta Cisplatin to fight malignant mesolthoelioma a cancer related to asbestos exposure. This should be kept up until twenty-one days after the patient's last cycle of Alimta. It is also advisable that patients take dexamethasone, a steroid medication, to curb the risk of adverse effects. Unless a doctor recommends differently, dexamethasone should be taken twice per day, on the day before, the day of, and the day after treatment.

For more information about these drugs used to treat malignant mesothelioma an asbestos related cancer, please click on the following link to visit the Alimta website:
http://www.alimta.com/treatment/treatment/cycles.jsp?reqNavId=2.1.2

For further information about facilities that are knowledgeable in using drug therapy to treat mesothelioma related diseases in the New York and New Jersey area please click on the following link: http://nynjmesothelioma.com/traditional-mesothelioma-treatment.php#physicians

To view the FDA's question and answer sheet about Alimta, please click on the following link: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/alimta/alimtaQA.htm

Asbestos can cause serious life threatening diseases even when the exposure occurs for a short amount of time. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and exposure can occur without a worker even knowing it.

Asbestos related cancer occurs not only in people working directly with asbestos products but also in bystanders and family members who have been exposed to asbestos dust.

If you or someone you know has contracted an asbestos related illness, you may wish to speak with a mesothelioma attorney who can advise you of your legal rights to claim compensation for the development of your illness. You may contact us by calling 1.800.MESO.LAW, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or by filling out the email form.