• Basic Info
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What is gemcitabine?
Gemcitabine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Gemcitabine is used to treat cancers of the pancreas, lung and breast. Gemcitabine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of gemcitabine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

• pain, swelling, or skin changes where the needle was placed;

• hearing problems;

• blood in your urine; or

• breathing problems.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• mild nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;

• diarrhea or constipation;

• swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;

• skin rash;

• numbness or tingly feeling;

• drowsiness; or

• hair loss.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How is gemcitabine used?
Gemcitabine is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 30 minutes to complete. Gemcitabine is usually given once a week for up to 7 weeks. Gemcitabine can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be checked. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

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What is the most important information I should know about gemcitabine?
Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Gemcitabine is given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Gemcitabine is usually given once a week for several weeks. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and can take up to 30 minutes to complete.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a miss an appointment to receive your gemcitabine infusion.

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What other drugs will affect gemcitabine?
There may be other drugs that can affect gemcitabine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Gemcitabine has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. The drug may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Animal studies have revealed evidence of embryotoxicity and fetotoxicity. Studies in male animals have revealed evidence of hypospermatogenesis, decreased fertility, and decreased implantations. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Gemcitabine should only be given during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk. If the drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking the drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.

When administered to mice at approximately 1/200th of the human dose, gemcitabine was embryotoxic, causing fetal malformations including cleft palate and incomplete ossification. Embryotoxicity was characterized by decreased fetal viability, reduced live litter size, and developmental delays. When administered to rabbits at approximately 1/600th of the human dose, gemcitabine was fetotoxic, causing fetal malformation including fused pulmonary artery and absence of gallbladder. When administered by the intraperitoneal route to male mice at approximately 1/700th of the human dose, gemcitabine had an effect on fertility with moderate to severe hypospermatogenesis, decreased fertility and decreased implantations.

There are no data on the excretion of gemcitabine into human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, the mother should be warned and a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother and the potential risk to the infant.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to gemcitabine or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What does my medication look like?
Gemcitabine is available with a prescription under the brand name Gemzar. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a gemcitabine overdose may include numbness or tingly feeling, severe skin rash, fever, chills, flu symptoms, or any signs of infection.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving gemcitabine?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to gemcitabine. Before receiving gemcitabine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: kidney disease; liver disease; or if you are receiving radiation treatment. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use gemcitabine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment. FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not receive gemcitabine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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