Folotyn

Generic Name: pralatrexate (PRAL a TREX ate)
Brand Names: Folotyn

What is Folotyn?

Folotyn is a cancer medication.

Folotyn is used to treat T-cell lymphoma that has spread throughout the body. It is given for relapsed T-cell lymphoma, or after other medications have been tried without successful treatment.

Folotyn may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Folotyn

Before you receive Folotyn, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.

Do not use Folotyn if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. You should not breast-feed a baby while you are being treated with Folotyn. You may be required to take oral folic acid supplements and receive vitamin B12 injections to help prevent some of the side effects of Folotyn. Follow your doctor's medication instructions very closely.

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To make sure Folotyn is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as fever, flu symptoms, mouth ulcers, easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin, rapid heart rate, trouble breathing, weakness, or feeling like you might pass out.

Before receiving Folotyn

You should not receive Folotyn if you are allergic to pralatrexate.

To make sure you can safely use Folotyn, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Folotyn if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether pralatrexate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed a baby while you are being treated with Folotyn.

See also: Folotyn pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How is Folotyn given?

Folotyn is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

Folotyn is usually given once per week for up to 6 weeks at a time. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You may be required to take daily folic acid supplements starting 10 days before your first dose of Folotyn and ending 30 days after your last dose. Your doctor may also give you injections of vitamin B12 every 8 to 10 weeks while you are being treated with Folotyn.

Using vitamin B12 and folic acid can help protect your blood cells from some of the side effects of Folotyn. Follow your doctor's medication instructions very closely.

To make sure Folotyn is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Folotyn injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include some of the serious side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid while receiving Folotyn?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Folotyn side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Folotyn: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• taste loss, mouth pain, redness or ulcers, or white-yellow mouth sores;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, rapid heart rate, rapid and shallow breathing, fainting;

• pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, trouble concentrating;

• weakness, decreased sweating, hot or dry skin;

• confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or

• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious Folotyn side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

• diarrhea, constipation;

• tired feeling;

• cough;

• swelling; or

• mild rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Folotyn side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Folotyn?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• probenecid (Benemid);

• trimethoprim (Bactrim, Proloprim, Septra, SMX-TMP); or

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), meloxicam (Mobic), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Folotyn. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Folotyn.