IMPORTANT WARNING:  

About your treatment  

Your doctor has ordered the drug trimetrexate to help treat your illness. The drug can be given by injection into a vein.

This medication is used to treat:

• infections caused by the bacteria Pneumocystis carinii in patients that do not have a fully functioning immune system

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Trimetrexate resembles a normal nutrient needed for cell growth. The Pneumocystis bacteria and cancer cells take in trimetrexate, which then interferes with their growth. You also will be given the drug leucovorin with each trimetrexate treatment. Leucovorin replaces the same needed nutrient in normal cells. Pneumocystis bacteria and cancer cells cannot use leucovorin. Take leucovorin exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

In case of emergency/overdose  

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Special instructions  

• The most common side effect of trimetrexate is a decrease in the number of blood cells. Your doctor may order tests before, during, and after your treatment to see if your blood cells are affected by the drug.

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