Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)
Generic and brand names: pralatrexate, injection; Folotyn
This medicine is given by injection to treat relapsed or refractory T-cell lymphoma.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.
This medicine is given by IV (slow drip through a needle into a large vein). How long you will need this treatment will be determined by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may also give you a vitamin B12 injection (shot) before and during treatment with this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
You need to have lab tests to determine how the medicine is affecting you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
You will need to take exact amounts of folic acid and vitamin B12 before and during treatment with this medicine. Talk with your provider about this.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine or bleed more easily. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
This medicine may cause redness and sores of the lining of your mouth, lips, throat, digestive tract, and genitals. Talk with your provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (contact your healthcare provider right away): Severe diarrhea or abdominal pain; black tarry stools; unusual bleeding or bruising; fever and chills; sore throat; sores in your mouth or throat; cough yellowish skin or eyes dark urine unexplained swelling unusual tiredness or weakness; trouble breathing; fast heartbeat; blisters or peeling skin.
Other: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, weakness, tiredness, night sweats, back pain.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
