Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is Alimta. Alimta is a chemotherapy that helps treat certain types of lung cancer. It may have other uses, too. 

If you are taking Alimta, your doctor will also prescribe 3 other medicines for you to take. They are folic acid, vitamin B-12, and a corticosteroid. They will help protect you from harmful side effects. You must take them exactly as your doctor tells you to. 

Alimta is given as an infusion into a vein.  It is common to have side effects. The first few days after a dose, you may feel a little tired, so try to rest frequently. You could also have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting or constipation. You should tell your doctor if these happen, so he or she can help you manage them. Also, it's important to keep your body hydrated, so talk to your doctor about how much fluid you should drink each day. 

As with any medicine, more serious side effects can happen. You should read the Patient Information sheet to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report them. For example, always call if you have mouth sores or changes to your skin, like blisters or a rash. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely and will order blood tests. 

You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicines, and especially before taking ibuprofen.  

Alimta can harm unborn babies. Sexually active women AND men must use extreme care to avoid pregnancy. You should talk to your doctor about which birth control methods to use, and for how long. Also, women should not breastfeed. 

For best results with Alimta, work closely with your health care team to help manage side effects.