ABOUT GEMCITE

Gemcite is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. It belongs to the family of drugs called antimetabolites. Antimetabolites are very similar to normal substances within the cell. When the cells incorporate these substances into the cellular metabolism, they are unable to divide. Antimetabolites are cell-cycle specific. They attack cells at very specific phases in the cycle.

MEDICINE USES :

Gemcitabine is used for pancreas cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, soft-tissue sarcoma, metastatic breast cancer, ovarian cancer

GEMCITABINE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS :

nausea, vomiting; fever, unusual bleeding; abnormal blood or urine tests; trouble breathing; swelling in your hands or feet; mild rash; or red or pink urine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

    fever, chills, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);
    blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble eating or swallowing;
    severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, confusion, seizure (convulsions);
    liver problems–nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
    signs of damaged red blood cells–bloody diarrhea, stomach pain with vomiting, blood in your urine, pale skin;
    signs of a kidney problem–little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles; or
    symptoms of a lung problem–sudden chest pain or discomfort, anxiety, sweating, severe shortness of breath, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus, severe dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

SAFETY INFORMATION (Precautions) for  GEMCITE GEMCITABINE INJECTION :

    Before using Gemcite, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
    Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bone marrow problems (e.g., leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia), heart problems (e.g., irregular heartbeat, heart failure), kidney problems, liver problems, radiation therapy.
    Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine.
    This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the use of reliable forms of birth control (such as condoms, birth control pills) with your doctor.
    It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the potential harm to the nursing infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

This is not a complete list. Ask your health care provider for more information.

MEDICATION STORAGE REQUIREMENTS :

Unopened vials of Gemcitabine for Injection are stable until the expiration date indicated on the package when stored at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) and that allows for excursions between 15°C and 30°C (59° and 86°F).

DRUG INTERACTIONS :

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.