Anaphylactic reaction to pemetrexed: a case report

J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2014;17(2):229-30. doi: 10.18433/j32c8d.

Abstract

Pemetrexed is approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer and has an overall favorable toxicity profile. We describe a 58-year-old man who developped an anaphylactic shock within few minutes from the beginning of pemetrexed perfusion. Pemetrexed was discontinued and the patient's symptoms gradually resolved with administration of symptomatic treatment. Serum tryptase level remained normal and intra dermal skin tests were negative eventhough a nonspecific papule was noted. This case suggests that caution should be exercised when prescribing pemetrexed and clinicians must be warranted for the possibility of serious adverse events associated with pemetrexed use.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anaphylaxis / chemically induced*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / surgery
  • Glutamates / administration & dosage
  • Glutamates / adverse effects*
  • Glutamates / therapeutic use
  • Guanine / administration & dosage
  • Guanine / adverse effects
  • Guanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Guanine / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pemetrexed

Substances

  • Glutamates
  • Pemetrexed
  • Guanine