Generic name: gemcitabine [ jem-SYE-ta-been ]
Brand names: Gemzar, Infugem
Dosage forms: intravenous powder for injection (1 g; 2 g; 200 mg); intravenous solution (10 mg/mL-NaCl 0.9%; 100 mg/mL; 38 mg/mL)
Drug class:Antimetabolites
What is gemcitabine?
Gemcitabine is used to treat cancers of the pancreas, lung, ovary, and breast.
Gemcitabine is sometimes given with other cancer medicines, or when other cancer treatments did not work or have stopped working.
Gemcitabine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Gemcitabine can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or new signs of infection (fever, chills, tiredness, bruising or bleeding, pale skin).
Gemcitabine can also affect your liver, kidneys, or lungs. Tell your doctor if you have stomach pain, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain, severe shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough with foamy mucus.
If you receive gemcitabine during or after radiation treatment, tell your doctor right away if you have severe skin redness, swelling, oozing, or peeling.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use gemcitabine if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
kidney disease;
liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
alcoholism; or
radiation treatment.
Both men and women using gemcitabine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. ...
