PEMETREXED DISODIUM

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC

High Safety Concerns with Metastatic Cancer Treatment

62,980 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About PEMETREXED DISODIUM

PEMETREXED DISODIUM is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC. Based on analysis of 62,980 FDA adverse event reports, PEMETREXED DISODIUM has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for PEMETREXED DISODIUM include MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PROGRESSION, OFF LABEL USE, ANAEMIA, NAUSEA, DIARRHOEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for PEMETREXED DISODIUM.

AI Safety Analysis

Pemetrexed Disodium has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 62,980 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Fresenius Kabi Usa, Llc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Malignant Neoplasm Progression, Off Label Use, Anaemia. Of classified reports, 95.0% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Severe adverse reactions such as death, malignancy progression, and renal failure are common.

Significant hematological toxicity, including anemia and neutropenia, is frequently reported. Drug interactions and warnings are necessary due to the high incidence of serious adverse events.

Patients taking Pemetrexed Disodium should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Interactions with other drugs, such as those affecting renal function, are a concern. Warnings are issued for concurrent use with certain medications. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Pemetrexed Disodium received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 95.0% serious event ratio across 35,690 classified reports. The score accounts for 62,980 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PROGRESSION2,979 reports
OFF LABEL USE2,209 reports
ANAEMIA2,011 reports
NAUSEA1,854 reports
DIARRHOEA1,747 reports
NEUTROPENIA1,658 reports
PANCYTOPENIA1,651 reports
DEATH1,637 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA1,564 reports
FATIGUE1,393 reports
VOMITING1,374 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION1,345 reports
DYSPNOEA1,273 reports
PYREXIA1,234 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,224 reports
RASH1,199 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA1,183 reports
PNEUMONIA1,173 reports
ASTHENIA1,136 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,063 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,014 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION915 reports
INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE856 reports
MYELOSUPPRESSION761 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED704 reports
PNEUMONITIS689 reports
RENAL FAILURE687 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION644 reports
DEHYDRATION641 reports
PULMONARY EMBOLISM631 reports
SEPSIS623 reports
LEUKOPENIA604 reports
CONSTIPATION603 reports
MUCOSAL INFLAMMATION564 reports
NEOPLASM PROGRESSION564 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED562 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE540 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT530 reports
NEUTROPHIL COUNT DECREASED481 reports
TUBULOINTERSTITIAL NEPHRITIS476 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED452 reports
MALAISE447 reports
COUGH438 reports
BONE MARROW FAILURE435 reports
COLITIS434 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL424 reports
HYPOTENSION413 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED409 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED403 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK403 reports
DIZZINESS402 reports
PRURITUS399 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN393 reports
THERAPY PARTIAL RESPONDER392 reports
PAIN390 reports
ERYTHEMA383 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED371 reports
HEADACHE364 reports
HYPERTENSION364 reports
NON SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER351 reports
STOMATITIS348 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION338 reports
EPISTAXIS336 reports
HYPOTHYROIDISM330 reports
HYPOKALAEMIA327 reports
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED324 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION322 reports
CHEST PAIN319 reports
INFECTION319 reports
ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED315 reports
HAEMOPTYSIS308 reports
HYPONATRAEMIA305 reports
DRUG RESISTANCE301 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL293 reports
HEPATIC CYTOLYSIS291 reports
HAEMATOTOXICITY285 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS284 reports
HEPATIC FUNCTION ABNORMAL281 reports
FEBRILE BONE MARROW APLASIA280 reports
HEPATITIS279 reports
METASTASES TO CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM275 reports
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS269 reports
ARTHRALGIA267 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE266 reports
RASH MACULO PAPULAR265 reports
BACK PAIN263 reports
DYSPHAGIA262 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION256 reports
RENAL TUBULAR NECROSIS250 reports
HEPATOTOXICITY241 reports
PERICARDIAL EFFUSION224 reports
C REACTIVE PROTEIN INCREASED222 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE220 reports
DRUG INTERACTION218 reports
OEDEMA212 reports
RENAL FAILURE ACUTE211 reports
HEPATOCELLULAR INJURY208 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT202 reports
TACHYCARDIA201 reports
LUNG DISORDER200 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High incidence of death and malignancy progression.
  • Severe hematological toxicity, including anemia and neutropenia.
  • Renal impairment and failure are frequently reported.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Male: 19,208, Female: 13,144, Unknown: 84. The most frequently reported age groups are age 68 (1,100 reports), age 70 (1,074 reports), age 66 (1,064 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 35,690 classified reports for PEMETREXED DISODIUM:

  • Serious: 33,890 reports (95.0%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 1,800 reports (5.0%)
Serious 95.0%Non-Serious 5.0%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Male19,208 (59.2%)
Female13,144 (40.5%)
Unknown84 (0.3%)

Reports by Age

Age 681,100 reports
Age 701,074 reports
Age 661,064 reports
Age 651,037 reports
Age 63974 reports
Age 72972 reports
Age 69954 reports
Age 67951 reports
Age 60933 reports
Age 71914 reports
Age 64873 reports
Age 62869 reports
Age 74857 reports
Age 61852 reports
Age 58839 reports
Age 59739 reports
Age 75704 reports
Age 73696 reports
Age 57680 reports
Age 56637 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Interactions with other drugs, such as those affecting renal function, are a concern. Warnings are issued for concurrent use with certain medications.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Pemetrexed Disodium, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include malignant neoplasm progression, off label use, anaemia, nausea, diarrhoea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor patients closely for signs of severe hematological and renal toxicity. Inform patients about the potential for serious adverse events and the importance of adherence to prescribed dosing and monitoring schedules. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

Regulatory oversight is stringent, with ongoing monitoring and updates to the drug’s labeling to address safety concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Pemetrexed Disodium?

The FDA has received approximately 62,980 adverse event reports associated with Pemetrexed Disodium. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Pemetrexed Disodium?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Pemetrexed Disodium include Malignant Neoplasm Progression, Off Label Use, Anaemia, Nausea, Diarrhoea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Malignant Neoplasm Progression (2,979 reports), Off Label Use (2,209 reports), Anaemia (2,011 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Pemetrexed Disodium.

What percentage of Pemetrexed Disodium adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 35,690 classified reports, 33,890 (95.0%) were classified as serious and 1,800 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Pemetrexed Disodium (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Pemetrexed Disodium break down by patient sex as follows: Male: 19,208, Female: 13,144, Unknown: 84. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Pemetrexed Disodium?

The most frequently reported age groups for Pemetrexed Disodium adverse events are: age 68: 1,100 reports, age 70: 1,074 reports, age 66: 1,064 reports, age 65: 1,037 reports, age 63: 974 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Pemetrexed Disodium?

The primary manufacturer associated with Pemetrexed Disodium adverse event reports is Fresenius Kabi Usa, Llc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Pemetrexed Disodium?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Pemetrexed Disodium include: Neutropenia, Pancytopenia, Death, Thrombocytopenia, Fatigue. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Pemetrexed Disodium?

You can report adverse events from Pemetrexed Disodium to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Pemetrexed Disodium's safety score and what does it mean?

Pemetrexed Disodium has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Severe adverse reactions such as death, malignancy progression, and renal failure are common.

What are the key safety signals for Pemetrexed Disodium?

Key safety signals identified in Pemetrexed Disodium's adverse event data include: High incidence of death and malignancy progression.. Severe hematological toxicity, including anemia and neutropenia.. Renal impairment and failure are frequently reported.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Pemetrexed Disodium interact with other drugs?

Interactions with other drugs, such as those affecting renal function, are a concern. Warnings are issued for concurrent use with certain medications. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Pemetrexed Disodium.

What should patients know before taking Pemetrexed Disodium?

Monitor patients closely for signs of severe hematological and renal toxicity. Inform patients about the potential for serious adverse events and the importance of adherence to prescribed dosing and monitoring schedules.

Are Pemetrexed Disodium side effects well-documented?

Pemetrexed Disodium has 62,980 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Significant hematological toxicity, including anemia and neutropenia, is frequently reported. The volume of reports for Pemetrexed Disodium reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Pemetrexed Disodium?

Regulatory oversight is stringent, with ongoing monitoring and updates to the drug’s labeling to address safety concerns. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to PEMETREXED DISODIUM based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

cisplatinpemetrexedfluorouracilleucovoringemcitabine
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.