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Folotyn

Generic name: pralatrexatePRAL-a-TREX-ate ]
Drug class: Antimetabolites

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on May 11, 2022.

What is Folotyn?

Folotyn is a cancer medication.

Folotyn is used to treat T-cell lymphoma that has spread throughout the body.

Folotyn is given for relapsed T-cell lymphoma, or after other medications have been tried without successful treatment.

Warnings

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

Folotyn can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

Do not use pralatrexate 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.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney problems.

You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting treatment with Folotyn.

Pralatrexate can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 1 week after your last dose.

How is Folotyn given?

Folotyn is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Folotyn is usually given once per week for up to 6 weeks at a time.

Your doctor may have you take folic acid supplements before, during, and after your treatment with Folotyn. You may also receive vitamin B12 injections every 8 to 10 weeks. This can help protect your blood cells from certain side effects of pralatrexate.

Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Folotyn can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You will need frequent medical tests. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Lymphoma:

Usual Adult Dose: 30 mg/m2 via intravenous push over 3 to 5 minutes once weekly for 6 weeks in 7 week cycles.

Duration: Until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Comments:
-Patients should take low dose (1 mg to 1.25 mg) oral folic acid daily.
-Folic acid should start 10 days before the first dose of pralatrexate and continue for 30 days after the last dose.
-Patients should also receive a B12 (1 mg) injection within 10 weeks before the first dose of pralatrexate and every 8 to 10 weeks thereafter.
-Subsequent B12 injections may be given the same day as treatment with pralatrexate.

Use: The treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).

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.

What should I avoid while receiving Folotyn?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Folotyn, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Folotyn side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Folotyn (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Folotyn side effects may include:

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.

What other drugs will affect Folotyn?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with pralatrexate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Folotyn only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.