Folotyn

Generic Name: pralatrexate (Intravenous route)

pral-a-TREX-ate

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Folotyn

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Pharmacologic Class: Antimetabolite

Uses For Folotyn

Pralatrexate belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics. It is used to treat peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) in patients who have already been treated with other medicines that did not work well. Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is a rare type of cancer that affects certain white blood cells and causes enlarged and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin.

Pralatrexate interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal cells may also be affected by the medicine, other effects may also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Some effects may occur after treatment with pralatrexate.

This medicine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Before Using Folotyn

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of pralatrexate in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of pralatrexate in the elderly.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	D	Studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy in a life threatening situation or a serious disease, may outweigh the potential risk.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Probenecid

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bone marrow problems (e.g., anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease or


• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of Folotyn

It is very important to take folic acid and vitamin B12 during your treatment with pralatrexate to lower your chances of harmful side effects. You must start taking 1 to 1.25 milligrams (mg) of folic acid every day for at least 10 days before your first dose of pralatrexate. You must keep taking folic acid every day during the time you are getting treatment with pralatrexate, and for 30 days after your last treatment. You can get folic acid vitamins over-the-counter. Folic acid is also found in many multivitamin pills. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for help if you are not sure how to choose a folic acid product. Your doctor will give you vitamin B12 injections while you are getting treatment with pralatrexate. You will get your first vitamin B12 injection not more than 10 weeks before your first dose of pralatrexate, and then about every 8 to 10 weeks during treatment.

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital or cancer treatment center. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Precautions While Using Folotyn

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant before you receive this medicine. If you are a woman of childbearing potential, you should use two forms of birth control together to avoid getting pregnant while you are receiving this medicine. If you have become pregnant during your treatment, tell your doctor right away.

Pralatrexate can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.


• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in the urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.


• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.


• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.


• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.

This medicine may cause mucositis, which is redness or sores on the inside of the mouth or tongue. Check with your doctor right away if you have cracked lips, diarrhea, difficulty with swallowing, or sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside of the mouth while you are using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Folotyn Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Black, tarry stools


• bleeding gums


• blood in the urine or stools


• body aches or pain


• chills


• convulsions


• cough


• cracked lips


• decreased urine


• diarrhea


• difficult or labored breathing


• difficulty with swallowing


• dry mouth


• ear congestion


• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse


• fever


• headache


• increased thirst


• loss of appetite


• loss of voice


• lower back or side pain


• mood changes


• muscle pain or cramps


• nasal congestion


• nausea or vomiting


• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips


• painful or difficult urination


• pale skin


• pinpoint red spots on the skin


• runny nose


• shortness of breath


• sneezing


• sore throat


• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips, tongue, or inside the mouth


• swelling


• tightness in the chest


• troubled breathing with exertion


• unusual bleeding or bruising


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• back pain


• bloody nose


• constipation


• itching skin


• lack or loss of strength


• night sweats


• pain in the arms or legs


• rash


• weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Folotyn side effects (in more detail)

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More Folotyn resources

• Folotyn Side Effects (in more detail)
• Folotyn Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Folotyn Drug Interactions
• Folotyn Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Folotyn - Add your own review/rating

• Folotyn Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Folotyn Consumer Overview


• Folotyn Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Folotyn MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Pralatrexate Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Folotyn with other medications

• Lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma