Gemcitabine injection
What is gemcitabine
injection?
GEMCITABINE (Gemzar�) is a type of chemotherapy
for treating many types of cancers including lung, breast, ovarian, and
pancreatic cancers. Gemcitabine can interfere with
the growth of rapidly growing cells, like cancer cells, and eventually causes
cell death. Gemcitabine is used alone or in
combination with other chemotherapy agents. Generic gemcitabine
injections are not yet available.
What should I tell my health care
provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
�bleeding problems
�blood disorders
�dental disease
�having intramuscular injections
�infection (especially virus infection such as chickenpox or herpes)
�kidney disease
�recent radiation therapy
�an unusual or allergic reaction to gemcitabine,
other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
�pregnant or trying to get pregnant
�breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Gemcitabine is for infusion into a vein. It is
usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a health care
professional.
What if I miss a dose?
It is important not to miss your dose. Notify your prescriber or health care
professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.
What drug(s) may interact with gemcitabine?
�other chemotherapy agents
�vaccines
Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these
medicines:
�aspirin
�acetaminophen
�ibuprofen
�ketoprofen
�naproxen
Tell your prescriber or other health care professional about all other
medicines you are taking including nonprescription medicines, nutritional
supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care
professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if
you smoke or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine
works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medications.
What side effects may I notice
from receiving gemcitabine?
Gemcitabine may cause different side effects
depending upon the dose and other chemotherapy agents given. Not all of these
effects occur in all patients. Discuss the possible side effects of your
therapy with your prescriber or health care professional.
Other side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care
professional as soon as possible:
�low blood counts - gemcitabine may decrease
the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at
increased risk for infections and bleeding.
�mouth sores
�pain, swelling, redness or irritation at the injection site
�signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or
difficulty passing urine
�signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots
on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
�signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness,
fainting spells, lightheadedness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your
prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
�constipation
�diarrhea
�hair loss
�fatigue
�nausea
�skin rash, itching
�shortness of breath
What should I watch for while
taking gemcitabine?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress.
You will need to have regular blood checks. The side effects of gemcitabine can continue after you finish your treatment;
report side effects promptly.
Gemcitabine may make you feel generally unwell. This
is not uncommon because gemcitabine affects good
cells as well as cancer cells. Report any side effects as above, but continue
your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or
health care professional tells you to stop.
Gemcitabine will decrease your body's ability to
fight infections. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have
a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat
these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Gemcitabine may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call
your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding.
Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an
infection and bleed more than usual.
Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol�), ibuprofen (Advil�), ketoprofen (Orudis KT�), or
naproxen (Aleve�) products as these may mask a fever, unless instructed to
by your prescriber or health care professional.
Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while
receiving gemcitabine because you may get an
infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your
dentist you received gemcitabine.
If you are going to have surgery or any dental procedures, tell your prescriber
or health care professional that you are receiving gemcitabine.
Where can I keep my medicine?
This medicine is given through your vein at a clinic or hospital. You will not
need to take this medicine at home.
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