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Gemcitabine Brand Names- Gemzar | Infugem
What is Gemcitabine
Gemcitabine is a deoxycytidine antimetabolite nucleoside inhibitor, closely related to cytarabine.
Although cytarabine and gemcitabine are similar in structure and metabolic pathways, they differ greatly in the spectrum of antitumor activity. While cytarabine is used almost exclusively for acute leukemias, gemcitabine is active against a variety of solid tumors.
It is indicated as monotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer, in combination with cisplatin for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in combination with paclitaxel for metastatic breast cancer, and in combination with carboplatin for advanced ovarian cancer.
Increased toxicities including clinically significant hypotension, severe flu-like symptoms, myelosuppression, and asthenia are observed with infusion times greater than 60 minutes or dosing more frequently than once weekly.
Indications
- biliary tract cancer
- bladder cancer
- breast cancer
- cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)
- mesothelioma
- mycosis fungoides
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)
- non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- ovarian cancer
- pancreatic cancer
- peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL)
For the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
for first-line treatment of inoperable, locally advanced (Stage IIIA or IIIB) or metastatic (Stage IV) NSCLC in combination with cisplatin
Side Effects
- acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
- alopecia
- alopecia
- anaphylactoid reactions
- anemia
- anemia
- anorexia
- asthenia
- azotemia
- bleeding
- bleeding
- bronchospasm
- bullous rash
- capillary leak syndrome
- chills
- colitis
- confusion
- constipation
- constipation
- diaphoresis
- diarrhea
- diarrhea
- drowsiness
- drowsiness
- dyspnea
- dyspnea
- edema
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- encephalopathy
- enterocolitis
- eosinophilia
- eosinophilic pneumonia
- esophagitis
- fatigue
- fatigue
- fever
- fever
- headache
- heart failure
- hematuria
- hematuria
- hemolysis
- hemolytic-uremic syndrome
- hepatic failure
- hepatotoxicity
- hyperbilirubinemia
- hyperbilirubinemia
- hyperglycemia
- hyperglycemia
- hypertension
- hypocalcemia
- hypocalcemia
- hypomagnesemia
- hypomagnesemia
- hypotension
- hypotension
- infection
- infection
- injection site reaction
- insomnia
- lethargy
- lymphopenia
- lymphopenia
- malaise
- myalgia
- myocardial infarction
- nausea
- nausea
- neutropenia
- neutropenia
- paresthesias
- paresthesias
- peripheral edema
- peripheral neuropathy
- pharyngitis
- pharyngitis
- pneumonitis
- proteinuria
- proteinuria
- pulmonary edema
- pulmonary fibrosis
- radiation recall reaction
- rash
- rash
- renal failure (unspecified)
- renal tubular necrosis
- rhinitis
- seizures
- sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS)
- stomatitis
- stomatitis
- stroke
- thrombocytopenia
- thrombocytopenia
- thrombotic microangiopathy
- vasculitis
- veno-occlusive disease (VOD)
- visual impairment
- vomiting
- vomiting
Monitoring Parameters
- CBC with differential
- LFTs
- pregnancy testing
- serum creatinine/BUN
Contraindications
- alcoholism
- bone marrow suppression
- breast-feeding
- children
- contraception requirements
- encephalopathy
- females
- geriatric
- hemolytic-uremic syndrome
- hepatic disease
- hepatitis
- hepatotoxicity
- infection
- infertility
- infusion-related reactions
- male-mediated teratogenicity
- neutropenia
- pneumonitis
- pregnancy
- pregnancy testing
- pulmonary disease
- pulmonary edema
- pulmonary fibrosis
- radiation therapy
- renal failure
- renal impairment
- reproductive risk
- thrombocytopenia
Interactions
- Azelastine; Fluticasone
- Beclomethasone
- Betamethasone
- Budesonide
- Budesonide; Formoterol
- Ciclesonide
- Corticosteroids
- Cortisone
- Deflazacort
- Dexamethasone
- Fludrocortisone
- Flunisolide
- Fluticasone
- Fluticasone; Salmeterol
- Fluticasone; Umeclidinium; Vilanterol
- Fluticasone; Vilanterol
- Formoterol; Mometasone
- Hydrocortisone
- Lithium
- Methylprednisolone
- Mometasone
- Palifermin
- Penicillamine
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Tolvaptan
- Triamcinolone
- Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative, PPD
