Each 100 mg vial contains:
Pemetrexed Disodium IP Equivalent to
Pemetrexed…………………………….100 mg
Mannitol …………………………………106 mg

Each 500 mg vial contains:
Pemetrexed Disodium IP Equivalent to
Pemetrexed…………………………….500 mg
Mannitol …………………………………500 mg

Pemetrexed is a folate analog metabolic inhibitor that exerts its action by disrupting folate-dependent metabolic processes essential for cell replication. In vitro studies have shown that Pemetrexed inhibits thymidylate synthase (TS), dihydrofolate reductase  (DHFR), 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. Polyglutamation is a time-and concentration-dependent process that occurs in tumor cells and, is thought to occur to a lesser extent, in normal tissues. Polyglutamated metabolites are thought to have an increased intracellular half-life resulting in prolonged drug action in malignant cells.

• • Absorption

The pharmacokinetics of Pemetrexed administered as a single-agent in doses ranging from 0.2 to 838 mg/m2 infused over a 10-minute period have been evaluated in  426 cancer patients with a variety of solids tumors. Pemetrexed total systemic exposure (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) increases proportionally with dose. The pharmacokinetics of Pemetrexed do not change over multiple treatment cycles.

• • Distribution

Pemetrexed has a  steady-state volume of distribution of 16.1 liters. Pemetrexed is approximately  81% bound to plasma proteins. Binding is not affected by the degree of renal impairment.

• • Metabolism  and Excretion
• Pemetrexed is not metabolized to an appreciable extent and is primarily eliminated in the urine, with 70% to 90% of the dose recovered unchanged within the first 24 hours following administration.

A. Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell  Lung Cancer-Combination with Cisplatin

Pemetrexed is indicated in combination with cisplatin therapy for the initial treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer.

B. Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell  Lung Cancer-Maintenance

Pemetrexed is indicated for the maintenance treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer whose disease has not progressed after four cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy.

C. Nonsquamous Non-Small Cell  Lung Cancer – After Prior Chemotherapy

Pemetrexed is indicated as a single-agent for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer after prior chemotherapy.

D. Mesothelioma

Pemetrexed in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma whose disease is unresectable or who are otherwise not candidates for curative surgery.

Limitations of Use Pemetrexate is not indicated for the treatment of patients with squamous cell non-small cell lung cancer.

Table 1: Dose Reduction for Pemetrexed (single-agent or in combination) and Cisplatin- Hematologic Toxicities

If patients develop nonhematologic toxicities (excluding neurotoxicity)=Grade 3, treatment should be withheld until resolution to less than or equal to the patient’s pre-therapy value. Treatment should be resumed according to guidelines in Table 2.

Table 2: Dose Reduction for Pemetrexed (single-agent or in combination) and Cisplatin-Nonhematologic Toxicities

in the event of neurotoxicity, the recommended dose adjustments for Pemetrexed and cisplatin are described in Table 3. Patients should discontinue therapy if Grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity is experienced.

Table 3: Dose Reduction for Pemetrexed (single-agent or in combination) and Cisplatin – Neurotoxicity

Discontinuation Recommendation:

Pemetrexed therapy should be discontinued if a patient experiences any hematologic or nonhematologic Grade 3 or 4 toxicity after 2 dose reductions or immediately if grade 3 or 4 neurotoxicity is observed.

Renal Impaired Patients:

In clinical studies, patients with creatinine clearance = 45 ml/min required no dose adjustments other than those recommended for all patients. Insufficient numbers of patients with creatinine clearance below 45 ml/min have been treated to make dosage recommendations for this group of patients. Therefore, Pemetrexed should not be administered to patients whose creatinine clearance is < 45ml/min using the standard Cockcroft and Gault formula (below) or GFR measured by Tc99m-DTPA serum clearance method:

Caution should be exercised when administering Pemetrexed concurrently with NSAIDs to patients whose creatinine clearance is <80 ml/min

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

i. Pregnancy-Teratogenic Effects-Pregnancy Category D

Embryotoxicity was characterized by increased embryo-fetal deaths and reduced litter size. If Pemetrexed is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.

ii. Nursing Mothers

it is not known whether Pemetrexed or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Pemetrexed, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug for the mother.

iii. Pediatric Use

The efficacy of Pemetrexed in pediatric patients has not been demonstrated. The most common toxicities reported were hematological (Leukopenia, Neutropenia / Granulocytopenia, Anemia, thrombocytopenia, and Lymphopenia), liver function abnormalities (increased ALT/AST), fatigue, and nausea.

iv. Geriatric Use

Pemetrexed is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Renal fusion monitoring is recommended with the administration of Pemetrexed. No dose reductions other than those recommended for all patients are necessary for patients 65 years of age or older.

v. Patients with Hepatic Impairment

There was no effect of elevated AST, ALT, or total bilirubin on the pharmacokinetics of Pemetrexed.

i. Bone  Marrow Suppression

Pemetrexed  can suppress bone marrow function, as manifested by Neutropenia.  Thrombocytopenia, and Anemia (or pancytopenia): myelosuppression is usually the  dose-limiting toxicity. Dose reductions for subsequent cycles are based on  nadir ANC, platelet count, and maximum non hematologic toxicity seen in the  previous cycle.

ii.  Decreased Renal Function

Pemetrexed  is primarily eliminated unchanged by renal excretion. No dosage adjustment is  needed in patients with creatinine = 45ml/min. Use with Non-Steroidal  Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) with Mild to Moderate Renal Insufficiency  caution should be used when administering NSAIDs concurrently with Pemetrexed to  patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency caution should be used when  administering NSAIDs concurrently with Pemetrexed to patients with mild to  moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance from 45 to 79ml/min.

iii.  Required Laboratory Monitoring

Obtain a  complete blood count and renal function tests at the beginning of each cycle  and as needed. Do not initiate a cycle of treatment unless the ANC is = 1500  cells/mm3, and creatinine clearance is = 45 ml/min.

iv.  Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Each  100mg vial to be reconstituted with 4.22 ml of 0.9% (w/v) Sodium Chloride  Injection IP and gently mixed so that the powder is completely dissolved.

Each 500mg vial to be reconstituted with 20ml of  0.9% (w/v) Sodium Chloride IP and gently mixed so that the powder is complety  dissolved. The resulting solution is clear and ranges in color from colorless  to yellow or green-yellow chemical and physical stability of reconstituted and  infusion solutions of Pemetrexed were demonstrated for up to 24 hours following  initial reconstitution, when stored refrigerated, 2-8°C (36-46°F). When  prepared as directed, reconstituted and infusion solutions of Pemetrexed  contain no antimicrobial preservatives. Unused portion is discarded. Pemetrexed  is not light sensitive.

Each  100mg vial to be reconstituted with 4.22 ml of 0.9% (w/v) Sodium Chloride  Injection IP and gently mixed so that the powder is completely dissolved.

Each 500mg vial to be reconstituted with 20ml of  0.9% (w/v) Sodium Chloride IP and gently mixed so that the powder is complety  dissolved. The resulting solution is clear and ranges in color from colorless  to yellow or green-yellow chemical and physical stability of reconstituted and  infusion solutions of Pemetrexed were demonstrated for up to 24 hours following  initial reconstitution, when stored refrigerated, 2-8°C (36-46°F). When  prepared as directed, reconstituted and infusion solutions of Pemetrexed  contain no antimicrobial preservatives. Unused portion is discarded. Pemetrexed  is not light sensitive.

Each  100mg vial to be reconstituted with 4.22 ml of 0.9% (w/v) Sodium Chloride  Injection IP and gently mixed so that the powder is completely dissolved.

Each 500mg vial to be reconstituted with 20ml of  0.9% (w/v) Sodium Chloride IP and gently mixed so that the powder is completely dissolved. The resulting solution is clear and ranges in color from colorless to yellow or green-yellow chemical and physical stability of reconstituted and infusion solutions of Pemetrexed were demonstrated for up to 24 hours following initial reconstitution, when stored refrigerated, 2-8°C (36-46°F). When prepared as directed, reconstituted and infusion solutions of Pemetrexed contain no antimicrobial preservatives. The unused portion is discarded. Pemetrexed is not light sensitive.

The most  common adverse reaction (incidence=20%) during therapy with Pemetrexed as a  single-agent were fatigue, nausea, and anorexia. Additional common adverse  reactions (incidence=20%) during therapy with Pemetrexed when used in  combination with cisplatin included vomiting, neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia,  stomatitis/pharyngitis, thrombocytopenia, and constipation.

Clinically  relevant adverse reactions occurring in < 5% of patients that received  Pemetrexed Treatment but >5% of patients that received Docetaxel include CTC  Grade ¾ febrile neutropenia (1.9% Pemetrexed, 12.7% Docetaxel).

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory  Drugs (NSAIDs)

No dose adjustment of Pemetrexed  is needed with concomitant NSAIDs in patients with normal renal function.  Caution should be used when administering NSAIDs concurrently with Pemetrexed  to patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance  form 45 to 79 ml/min).

NSAIDs with short elimination  half-lives (e.g. diclofenac, indomethacin) should be avoided for a period of 2  days before, the day of, and 2 days following administration of Pemetrexed.  Nephrotoxic Drugs.

Pemetrexed is primarily eliminated  unchanged renally as a result of glomerular filtration and tubular secretion.  Concomitant administration of nephrotoxic drugs could result in delayed  clearance of Pemetrexed. Concomitant administration of substances that are also  tubularly secreted (e.g. probenecid) could potentially result in delayed  clearance of Pemetrexed.

OVERDOSE

There have been few cases of Pemetrexed overdose. Reported toxicities included neutropenia, anemia, thrompocytopenia, mucositis, and rash. Anticipated complications of overdose include bone marrow suppression as manifested by neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia. In addition, infection with or without fever, diarrhea, and mucositis may be seen. If an overdose occurs, general supportive measures should be instituted as deemed necessary by the treating physician.

CONTRAINDICATION

Pemetrexed is contraindicated in patients who have a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to Pemetrexed.

Pemetrexed  injection, should be stored at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C  (59-86°F).

The use  of gloves is recommended. If a solution of Pemetrexed contacts the skin, wash  the skin immediately and thoroughly with soap and water. If Pemetrexed contacts  the mucous membranes, flush thoroughly with water. Pemetrexed is not a  vesicant. There is no specific antidote for extravasation of Pemetrexed.  Pemetrexed extravasation should be managed with local standard practice for  extravasation as with other non-vesicants.

Antifol ^TM: Single vial of Pemetrexed injection 100mg and 500mg