FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Pemetrexed Disodium

Pemetrexed disodium is a chemotherapy drug used intravenously to treat non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Brand names Pemrydi RtuAlimta

Drug classes ⓘ Folate Analog Metabolic Inhibitor

Rx Forms 2 Route Intravenous

Reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026

🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 22 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance

Linked label effectiveDec 16, 2025

Clinical labels in scope ⓘ22

AvailabilityRx

Earliest approval/marketing year ⓘ2004

FDA-listed product records ⓘ146

Boxed warningNone found in compared labels

How we combine label and product data →

⚠️Currently in shortage (FDA) 🚨Recall on record · 2

⭐ Pemetrexed Disodium at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.

💊

HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line

Pemetrexed disodium is a chemotherapy given by IV infusion to treat non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma. Taking folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements exactly as directed is critical — they meaningfully reduce serious side effects. Your care team will monitor your kidneys and blood counts closely throughout treatment.

How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →

📖 Pemetrexed Disodium: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Pemetrexed Disodium — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for▾

Pemetrexed disodium injection is a chemotherapy approved for two types of cancer. Available as Alimta, Pemrydi RTU, and generic pemetrexed products, it is used intravenously in the following situations:

Metastatic non-squamous NSCLC (initial treatment): In combination with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy, for patients with no EGFR or ALK genetic mutations
Locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC (initial treatment): In combination with cisplatin
Non-squamous NSCLC (maintenance therapy): As a single agent, after disease has not progressed through four cycles of platinum-based first-line chemotherapy
Recurrent metastatic non-squamous NSCLC (after prior chemotherapy): As a single agent
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (initial treatment): In combination with cisplatin, for disease that cannot be surgically removed or where surgery is not an option
Not approved for squamous cell non-small cell lung cancer

⚙️How it works▾

Pemetrexed disodium is a folate analog — meaning it mimics a B-vitamin (folate) that cells need to make DNA. It works by blocking three key enzymes (thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and GARFT) that cancer cells depend on to produce the raw materials for copying their DNA. Without those materials, cancer cells can't divide and grow. Once inside a cell, pemetrexed is converted to a more powerful form that gets retained in the cell, making its blocking effect stronger and longer-lasting.

💊How it's taken▾

Pemetrexed disodium is given as a short intravenous (IV) infusion — directly into a vein — on Day 1 of a 21-day treatment cycle, always administered by a healthcare professional in a clinical setting. The cycle repeats every 3 weeks, and the exact number of cycles depends on the treatment plan and how well the cancer responds.

Patients must start taking folic acid by mouth daily at least 7 days before the first infusion and continue until 21 days after the last dose
Vitamin B12 is given as an injection 1 week before the first infusion and then every 3 cycles
A steroid (dexamethasone) is taken by mouth twice daily the day before, the day of, and the day after each infusion
Kidney function is checked before each dose — treatment is held if kidney function falls too low

🤒Side effects — in detail▾

Side effects vary depending on whether pemetrexed is given alone or in combination with other drugs. The most commonly reported ones include:

Fatigue and weakness
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Low white blood cells (neutropenia — raises infection risk), low red blood cells (anemia), and low platelets (thrombocytopenia)
Rash
Cough or shortness of breath
Fever
Mouth sores (stomatitis/pharyngitis), especially when given with cisplatin

Serious reactions — including severe infections, kidney failure, dangerous skin blistering, and lung inflammation — can occur and require immediate medical attention. Regular blood tests help your team catch problems early.

⚠️Warnings & precautions▾

Bone marrow suppression (myelosuppression): Pemetrexed can severely lower blood cell counts, raising risk of serious infection, bleeding, and anemia. This risk is significantly higher in patients who skip folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation. Blood counts are checked before every cycle.
Kidney failure: Pemetrexed can cause severe and sometimes fatal kidney damage. Kidney function is monitored regularly; treatment is stopped if function falls too low.
Serious skin reactions: Rare but life-threatening blistering and peeling skin conditions (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis) can occur. Treatment is permanently stopped if these develop.
Lung inflammation (interstitial pneumonitis): New or worsening shortness of breath, cough, or fever should be reported immediately. Treatment is held and may be permanently stopped if pneumonitis is confirmed.
Radiation recall: Inflammation can flare in previously irradiated areas of the body — sometimes years later. Persistent redness or blistering in old radiation fields should be reported right away.
Fetal harm: Pemetrexed can cause serious birth defects. Effective contraception is required during and for 6 months (women) or 3 months (men) after treatment.

🔀What it interacts with▾

Pemetrexed disodium can be affected by certain other drugs that alter how it is cleared from the body:

Ibuprofen: Blocks a kidney transporter (OAT3) that helps clear pemetrexed, raising pemetrexed levels in the blood — particularly risky if your kidneys aren't working at full capacity. Avoid ibuprofen for 2 days before and after each infusion if you have reduced kidney function.
Other OAT3 inhibitors: Other drugs that block the same kidney transporter can also raise pemetrexed exposure and increase side effect risk — avoid when possible, or be monitored more closely if unavoidable.
Aspirin (low to moderate doses), naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib: Not expected to significantly affect pemetrexed levels at clinically relevant concentrations, based on available data.
Cisplatin and platinum chemotherapy: These do not meaningfully change pemetrexed's pharmacokinetics and are intentionally combined as part of approved regimens under oncologist direction.
Folic acid and vitamin B12: These supplements do not alter pemetrexed's levels in the body, but they are essential for reducing serious toxicity.

This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

📋Before taking it▾

Kidney disease: Pemetrexed cannot be given if creatinine clearance (a measure of kidney function) is below 45 mL/min. Reduced kidney function also raises the risk of drug buildup and side effects.
Pregnancy: This drug causes fetal harm based on animal studies and its mechanism of action. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or become pregnant during treatment.
Contraception: Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Men with female partners of childbearing potential must use contraception during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose.
Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed during treatment or for one week after the last dose — the potential risk to a nursing infant is unknown but serious.
Male fertility: Pemetrexed may impair fertility in men; it is unknown whether this is reversible. Discuss with your doctor before starting if this is a concern.
Children: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Severe hypersensitivity: Anyone with a history of a severe allergic reaction to pemetrexed must not receive it again.
Vitamin supplementation history: Patients who have not started folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation should not begin pemetrexed — the risk of life-threatening toxicity is substantially higher without these supplements.

🚑If you take too much▾

There is no approved antidote for a pemetrexed overdose. Based on animal data, leucovorin (a form of folate) may help reduce the toxic effects of too much pemetrexed. It is not known whether dialysis can remove pemetrexed from the body. If an overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical care immediately.

📡Pharmacodynamics — effects in the body▾

Pemetrexed works by lowering cancer cells' ability to replicate DNA — it does this by blocking folate-dependent enzymes the cells need to make DNA building blocks. In studies, it stopped the growth of mesothelioma cell lines and worked synergistically (better together) when combined with cisplatin. One measurable body effect is a drop in the absolute neutrophil count (ANC — the number of key infection-fighting white blood cells); the depth of this drop is linked to how much drug is in the system and whether folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation was taken as directed.

🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it▾

After an IV infusion, pemetrexed distributes into about 16 liters of body fluid and is approximately 81% bound to proteins in the blood. It is not significantly broken down (metabolized) by the body. The drug is cleared primarily through the kidneys, with 70–90% of the dose excreted unchanged in the urine within the first 24 hours. In patients with normal kidney function, the half-life (the time for the body to clear half the drug) is about 3.5 hours. In patients with reduced kidney function, the drug clears more slowly and builds up to higher levels, which is why kidney function is carefully checked before every dose.

📦How to store it▾

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) .

📄 Written from Pemetrexed Disodium’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Pemetrexed Disodium — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

Why do I have to take vitamins before and during my pemetrexed treatment? ▾

The folic acid and vitamin B12 aren't just a nice-to-have — they're a required part of your treatment. Without them, pemetrexed is much more likely to cause severe drops in your blood cell counts and serious digestive side effects. Studies showed that patients who skipped these supplements had significantly higher rates of dangerous infections and other complications. Start the folic acid at least a week before your first infusion and don't stop until three weeks after your last dose. The B12 shot is given by your care team before you start and then every few cycles.

What side effects should I definitely call my doctor about right away? ▾

The ones that can't wait are signs of infection — fever, chills, or feeling suddenly very unwell — because your white blood cell count may be dangerously low. Also call right away if you notice unusual bruising or bleeding, a sharp drop in urination or swelling (signs of kidney trouble), new or worsening shortness of breath or cough, severe skin blistering or peeling, or redness and pain in any area of your body that was previously treated with radiation. These are rare but serious, and catching them early makes a real difference.

Can I take ibuprofen or other pain relievers while I'm on pemetrexed? ▾

It depends on your kidney function. If your kidneys aren't working at full capacity, ibuprofen can raise your pemetrexed levels — which increases the risk of serious side effects. Your care team will likely tell you to avoid ibuprofen for two days before and two days after each infusion if your kidney function is reduced. Low-to-moderate doses of aspirin and some other anti-inflammatories like naproxen and celecoxib are generally not expected to cause the same problem, but always check with your oncologist before taking any over-the-counter pain reliever.

Is pemetrexed safe to use if I'm planning to have children in the future? ▾

This is really important to discuss with your doctor before treatment starts. Pemetrexed can harm a developing baby, so women need to use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Men with partners who could become pregnant need to use contraception during treatment and for 3 months after. There's also a possibility — though not fully studied — that pemetrexed may affect fertility in men. If having children is something you're thinking about, bring it up with your oncologist before your first infusion so you can plan accordingly.

How will I know if my body is responding well to pemetrexed? ▾

Your oncology team will track your response through regular imaging (like CT scans) and blood tests throughout your treatment. Blood tests before every cycle check your kidney function and blood cell counts — if these fall too low, your team may delay or adjust your treatment. The goal is to keep the cancer from progressing while keeping side effects manageable. Be open with your team about how you're feeling between cycles so they can fine-tune your care.

Why does pemetrexed work for some lung cancers but not others? ▾

Pemetrexed is specifically approved for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer — a category that includes adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. Clinical studies showed it was not effective for the squamous cell type of NSCLC, so it's not approved for that subtype. Your oncologist will have confirmed which type of lung cancer you have before recommending pemetrexed. For mesothelioma, pemetrexed combined with cisplatin is an established first-line option for disease that can't be surgically removed.

Is Pemetrexed Disodium available over the counter? ▾

Pemetrexed Disodium is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.

When was Pemetrexed Disodium first available? ▾

Pemetrexed Disodium has been available in the United States since at least 2004, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.

Who makes Pemetrexed Disodium? ▾

Pemetrexed Disodium is supplied by 37 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc., BluePoint Laboratories, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC.

💬 Answers drafted from Pemetrexed Disodium’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 Keep exploring

🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerPemetrexed Disodium vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Pemetrexed Disodium NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication

📊 Detailed data & references for Pemetrexed Disodium Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here.

💊 How Pemetrexed Disodium comes

Pemetrexed Disodium is available in 2 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Injection

By injection · Into a vein

Brands Alimta Pemrydi Rtu

How this form is used

What it may be used for

Alimta (injection) is indicated for initial treatment of metastatic non-squamous NSCLC with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy, with cisplatin alone, and as maintenance or second-line single-agent therapy
Pemrydi RTU (injection) is indicated for initial treatment of metastatic non-squamous NSCLC with pembrolizumab and platinum chemotherapy, with cisplatin, and as single-agent maintenance or post-chemotherapy treatment
Pemetrexed and Pemetrexed disodium injections are indicated for non-squamous NSCLC across multiple settings and for malignant pleural mesothelioma in combination with cisplatin
All injection products are indicated for initial treatment of unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma in combination with cisplatin

Important instructions

Alimta, Pemrydi RTU, and pemetrexed injections are all administered as an intravenous infusion over approximately 10 minutes on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle
Before each infusion, patients must have taken daily oral folic acid starting at least 7 days before the first dose, continuing until 21 days after the last dose
Vitamin B12 is injected intramuscularly 1 week before the first infusion and then every 3 cycles throughout treatment
Dexamethasone is taken by mouth twice daily the day before, the day of, and the day after each infusion to reduce skin reactions

Available strengths 12 strengths

25 mg/mL 100 mg/4 mL 100 mg/4.2 mL 100 mg/10 mL 100 mg/100 mg 500 mg/20 mL

Show 6 more strengths Show fewer strengths

500 mg/50 mL 750 mg/30 mL 850 mg/34 mL 1 g/40 mL 1000 mg/40 mL 1000 mg/100 mL

Oral solution

By mouth

Available strengths 2 strengths

100 mg/4.2 mL 500 mg/20 mL

📊 Pemetrexed Disodium across the U.S. market

How Pemetrexed Disodium appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

Dose forms ⓘ

Manufacturers

Brand names

146

FDA-listed product records ⓘ

2004

First marketed ⓘ

Injection

124

Oral solution

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (20) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

37makers

Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.14%

BluePoint Laboratories10%

Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC8%

Apotex Corp6%

Sandoz Inc.6%

Eli Lilly and Company5%

Other makers51%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Pemetrexed Disodium is used

A general measure of how commonly Pemetrexed Disodium is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Pemetrexed Disodium is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

6,448

Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)

$5M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Pemetrexed Disodium prescribed? Of the 1,596 medications we measure, Pemetrexed Disodium ranks #1,008 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 37% of them.

Where Pemetrexed Disodium ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5

Total prescriptions — #1,008 of 1,596

#1,003 Nizatidine 6,555 Rx #1,004 Panitumumab Injection 6,524 Rx #1,005 Ampicillin Injection 6,519 Rx #1,006 Ado-trastuzumab Emtans... 6,495 Rx #1,007 Piroxicam 6,458 Rx #1,008 Pemetrexed Disodium 6,448 Rx #1,009 Pyridoxine 6,433 Rx #1,010 Pertuzumab, Trastuzuma... 6,412 Rx #1,011 Riociguat 6,299 Rx #1,012 Voriconazole 6,277 Rx #1,013 Amoxicillin / Omeprazo... 6,073 Rx

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Pemetrexed Disodium, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 19 of 94 listed Pemetrexed Disodium NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Pemetrexed Disodium products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Pemetrexed Disodium — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Strength	Route	Manufacturer / Labeler	Category ⓘ	Details
💊Injection
25 mg/mL	Intravenous	Accord Healthcare Inc. × 2 listings	NDA	View NDC →
100 mg/10 mL	Intravenous	Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC × 2 listings	NDA	View NDC →
500 mg/50 mL	Intravenous	Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC × 2 listings	NDA	View NDC →
1000 mg/100 mL	Intravenous	Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC × 2 listings	NDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Apotex Corp × 2 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Apotex Corp × 2 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
750 mg/30 mL	Intravenous	Apotex Corp × 3 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
1000 mg/40 mL	Intravenous	Apotex Corp × 2 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4.2 mL	Intravenous	Athenex Pharmaceutical Division, LLC. × 2 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Athenex Pharmaceutical Division, LLC. × 2 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
1000 mg/40 mL	Intravenous	Biocon Pharma Inc	ANDA	Find on DailyMed ↗
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	BluePoint Laboratories × 4 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	BluePoint Laboratories	NDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	BluePoint Laboratories × 4 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	BluePoint Laboratories	NDA	View NDC →
750 mg/30 mL	Intravenous	BluePoint Laboratories	ANDA	View NDC →
850 mg/34 mL	Intravenous	BluePoint Laboratories	NDA	View NDC →
1000 mg/40 mL	Intravenous	BluePoint Laboratories	ANDA	View NDC →
1000 mg/40 mL	Intravenous	BluePoint Laboratories	NDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Dr. Reddys Laboratories Inc	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Dr. Reddys Laboratories Inc	ANDA	View NDC →
1 g/40 mL	Intravenous	Dr. Reddys Laboratories Inc	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Eli Lilly and Company × 2 listings	NDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	—	Eli Lilly and Company × 2 listings	DRUG FOR FURTHER PROCESSING	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Eli Lilly and Company × 2 listings	NDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	—	Eli Lilly and Company × 2 listings	DRUG FOR FURTHER PROCESSING	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC × 3 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC × 3 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
750 mg/30 mL	Intravenous	Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC × 3 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
1 g/40 mL	Intravenous	Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC × 3 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC × 2 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC × 2 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	—	Lilly France × 2 listings	DRUG FOR FURTHER PROCESSING	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	—	Lilly France × 2 listings	DRUG FOR FURTHER PROCESSING	View NDC →
100 mg/4.2 mL	Intravenous	Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/10 mL	Intravenous	Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc. × 8 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/50 mL	Intravenous	Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc. × 8 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
750 mg/30 mL	Intravenous	Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.	ANDA	View NDC →
1 g/40 mL	Intravenous	Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc.	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/10 mL	Intravenous	NorthStar RxLLC	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/50 mL	Intravenous	NorthStar RxLLC	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4.2 mL	Intravenous	Sagent Pharmaceuticals	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Sagent Pharmaceuticals	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Sandoz Inc. × 3 listings	NDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Sandoz Inc. × 3 listings	NDA	View NDC →
1000 mg/40 mL	Intravenous	Sandoz Inc. × 3 listings	NDA	View label ↗
100 mg/10 mL	Intravenous	Shilpa Medicare Limited × 2 listings	NDA	View NDC →
500 mg/50 mL	Intravenous	Shilpa Medicare Limited × 2 listings	NDA	View NDC →
1000 mg/100 mL	Intravenous	Shilpa Medicare Limited × 2 listings	NDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Somerset Therapeutics LLC	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Somerset Therapeutics LLC	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Waverley Pharma Inc × 2 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Waverley Pharma Inc × 2 listings	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/100 mg	—	Wuhan Calmland Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. × 2 listings	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Zydus Lifesciences Limited	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Zydus Lifesciences Limited	ANDA	View NDC →
1000 mg/40 mL	Intravenous	Zydus Lifesciences Limited	ANDA	View NDC →
100 mg/4 mL	Intravenous	Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.	ANDA	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	Intravenous	Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.	ANDA	View NDC →
1000 mg/40 mL	Intravenous	Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.	ANDA	View NDC →
💊Oral solution
100 mg/4.2 mL	—	BSP Pharmaceuticals S.p.A.	DRUG FOR FURTHER PROCESSING	View NDC →
500 mg/20 mL	—	BSP Pharmaceuticals S.p.A.	DRUG FOR FURTHER PROCESSING	View NDC →
💊Bulk drug substance
1 kg/kg	—	Dr.Reddy's Laboratories Limited	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 kg/kg	—	Dr.Reddys Laboratories Limited	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 kg/kg	—	Eli Lilly Kinsale Limited × 4 listings	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
5 kg/5 kg	—	Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 kg/kg	—	Hetero Labs Limited	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 kg/kg	—	Huzhou Zhanwang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 kg/kg	—	Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. × 3 listings	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
10 kg/10 kg	—	Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 kg/kg	—	MSN Laboratories Private Limited × 2 listings	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 g/g	—	ScinoPharm Taiwan Ltd.	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 kg/kg	—	Shandong Anhong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 g/g	—	Shilpa Pharma Lifesciences Limited	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 kg/kg	—	Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →
1 kg/kg	—	Suzhou Lixin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.	BULK INGREDIENT	View NDC →

Showing 146 of 146 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 146 Pemetrexed Disodium NDCs →

🏷️ Sold under these brand names

Pemrydi Rtu Alimta

🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

Meitheal Pharmaceuticals Inc. 20 BluePoint Laboratories 14 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC 12 Apotex Corp 9 Sandoz Inc. 9 Eli Lilly and Company 8 Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC 6 Shilpa Medicare Limited 6 Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. 4 Waverley Pharma Inc 4 Lilly France 4 Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC 4 Athenex Pharmaceutical Division, LLC. 4 Eli Lilly Kinsale Limited 4 Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. 3 Zydus Lifesciences Limited 3 Dr. Reddys Laboratories Inc 3 Sagent Pharmaceuticals 2 Wuhan Calmland Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. 2 Somerset Therapeutics LLC 2 BSP Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. 2 Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 2 NorthStar RxLLC 2 MSN Laboratories Private Limited 2

…and 13 more on the FDA NDC directory.

RxNorm drug class

Pemetrexed Disodium belongs to the Folate Analog Metabolic Inhibitor class.

Pharmacologic class Folate Analog Metabolic Inhibitor

Drug family (ATC) Folic acid analogues

How it works Folic Acid Metabolism Inhibitors

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A type of lung cancer that includes subtypes like adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma — distinct from squamous cell lung cancer.

metastatic: Describes cancer that has spread from its original site to other parts of the body.

malignant pleural mesothelioma: A cancer of the thin tissue lining that surrounds the lungs (the pleura), most often linked to asbestos exposure.

folate analog: A substance that closely resembles the B-vitamin folate but interferes with how it is used by cells.

enzyme: A protein in the body that speeds up a specific chemical reaction — in this case, one needed to make DNA.

thymidylate synthase (TS): An enzyme cancer cells use to make one of the building blocks of DNA; pemetrexed blocks it.

dihydrofolate reductase: Another folate-dependent enzyme involved in producing DNA building blocks, which pemetrexed inhibits.

GARFT: Glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase — an enzyme needed to build purine nucleotides (DNA components), also blocked by pemetrexed.

polyglutamate: A chemically modified form of pemetrexed that forms inside cells and is more potent and longer-lasting than the original drug.

myelosuppression: A condition in which the bone marrow produces fewer blood cells, lowering white cells, red cells, and platelets.

neutropenia: An abnormally low count of neutrophils — the white blood cells that fight bacterial infections — increasing infection risk.

thrombocytopenia: A lower-than-normal number of platelets in the blood, which can lead to unusual bruising or bleeding.

anemia: A shortage of red blood cells or hemoglobin, often causing fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

absolute neutrophil count (ANC): A blood test measurement of the number of neutrophils (infection-fighting white blood cells) — used to gauge infection risk.

creatinine clearance: A calculation that estimates how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood; used to determine if pemetrexed is safe to give.

interstitial pneumonitis: Inflammation of the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs, which can cause breathing difficulty and may be triggered by certain drugs.

radiation recall: An inflammatory reaction that occurs in an area previously treated with radiation, triggered by a drug given weeks, months, or even years later.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A rare, life-threatening skin condition causing severe blistering and peeling of the skin and mucous membranes.

toxic epidermal necrolysis: A severe, potentially fatal skin reaction involving widespread peeling of the skin, similar to but more extensive than Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

OAT3 (organic anion transporter 3): A protein in the kidneys that helps actively remove pemetrexed from the body; drugs that block OAT3 can cause pemetrexed to build up.

OAT3 inhibitor: A drug that blocks the OAT3 kidney transporter, potentially raising pemetrexed blood levels and increasing side effect risk.

cisplatin: A platinum-based chemotherapy drug often paired with pemetrexed in combination treatment regimens.

pembrolizumab: An immunotherapy drug (a checkpoint inhibitor) sometimes combined with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for certain lung cancers.

platinum chemotherapy: A category of chemotherapy drugs containing platinum (such as cisplatin or carboplatin) used to treat several cancers.

EGFR: Epidermal growth factor receptor — a protein whose gene mutations can drive certain lung cancers; pemetrexed combination therapy with pembrolizumab is only for patients without these mutations.

ALK: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase — a gene that, when abnormally rearranged, can drive certain lung cancers; pemetrexed combination therapy with pembrolizumab is only for patients without ALK genomic tumor aberrations.

intravenous (IV) infusion: Delivery of a drug directly into a vein over a set period of time, allowing it to enter the bloodstream quickly.

half-life: The time it takes for the body to reduce the concentration of a drug in the blood by half.

leucovorin: A form of folate sometimes used as an antidote to reduce the toxic effects of certain drugs that block folate pathways.

dexamethasone: A corticosteroid (steroid) medication taken around infusion days to reduce the risk of skin rashes from pemetrexed.

genotoxicity: The potential of a substance to damage DNA — which is why pemetrexed requires contraception to prevent passing genetic harm to a fetus.

pharmacokinetics: The study of how the body absorbs, distributes, breaks down, and eliminates a drug over time.

AUC (area under the curve): A measure of total drug exposure in the body over time — a higher AUC means more drug exposure, which can increase both effectiveness and side effects.

maintenance treatment: Treatment given after an initial course of therapy to keep cancer under control and prevent it from coming back or progressing.

unresectable: Describes a tumor that cannot be surgically removed, usually because of its size, location, or extent of spread.

febrile neutropenia: A fever that occurs alongside dangerously low neutrophil counts — a medical emergency in patients on chemotherapy.

folic acid: A B-vitamin (vitamin B9) taken as a daily supplement during pemetrexed treatment to significantly reduce the severity of certain side effects.

vitamin B12: A vitamin given by injection before and during pemetrexed treatment to help reduce the risk of serious toxicity.

stomatitis/pharyngitis: Inflammation and soreness of the mouth (stomatitis) or throat (pharyngitis) — a common side effect when pemetrexed is combined with cisplatin.

contraindication: A specific situation or condition that makes a particular drug unsafe to use.

absolute neutrophil count: A blood test number showing how many infection-fighting neutrophil white blood cells you have.

Adverse Reactions: Unwanted or harmful effects that people experienced while taking a medicine, listed on its official label.

ANC: A blood test number showing how many infection-fighting neutrophil white blood cells you have.

antidote: A treatment that reverses or counteracts the effects of a specific medicine or poison.

bone marrow suppression: Slowed production of blood cells by the soft tissue inside bones, causing low counts of red cells, white cells, or platelets.

clearance: How quickly the body removes a medicine from the blood, usually through the liver and kidneys.

Clinical Studies: The label section summarizing the research trials used to show that a medicine works and is acceptably safe.

constipation: Having bowel movements less often than usual, or passing stools that are hard, dry, and difficult to move.

contraception: Methods used to prevent pregnancy, such as birth control pills, condoms, or an intrauterine device.

cytopenia: A lower-than-normal number of one or more types of blood cells.

diarrhea: Loose, watery bowel movements that happen more often than normal.

Dosage and Administration: The label section explaining how much of a medicine to use and how to take or give it.

fertility: The natural ability to become pregnant or to father a child.

fetal harm: Injury or damage to a developing baby while it is growing inside the womb.

hypersensitivity: An overreaction of the body's defense system to a substance, causing symptoms such as rash, swelling, or trouble breathing.

Indications and Usage: The label section stating which medical conditions the FDA has officially approved the medicine to treat, prevent, or manage.

infusion: Slowly delivering fluid or medicine into a vein over a period of time, usually through a drip.

inhibitor: A substance that blocks an enzyme or transporter, which can raise the levels of drugs it normally handles.

intravenous: Given directly into a vein through a needle or thin tube; often written as IV.

Mechanism of Action: How a medicine produces its effect in the body, described at the level of cells or body chemistry.

NDC: A unique number that identifies a specific medicine, its maker, strength, and package size.

neutrophil: A type of white blood cell that is one of the body's main defenders against infection.

nursing infant: A baby who is being fed breast milk.

pneumonitis: Inflammation of the lung tissue that is not caused by an infection and can lead to cough and breathlessness.

stomatitis: Soreness, swelling, or sores on the lining inside the mouth.

transporter: A protein that moves drugs across cell membranes, carrying them either into or out of cells.

Warnings and Precautions: The label section describing serious risks to know about and safety steps to follow while using a medicine.

🔬 Where this comes from

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄

FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Dec 16, 2025

🏭

Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Pemetrexed Disodium.

📈

Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.

🚨

Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.

🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Pemetrexed Disodium after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching

Clinical labels in scope: 22
NDC products indexed: 146
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented: 37
Linked representative label ⓘ: Sandoz Inc.
Linked label effective: Dec 16, 2025
Composite sections available: 23
Linked SPL Set ID: 7ac04ab7-7f8c-46ce-ab56-a7a08cd02ab3
Linked SPL Document ID: 764ab64b-c642-4314-83a9-efee79fe83a3

Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 22 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Sandoz Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.

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