What is Gemzar?
The cancer drug Gemzar interferes with cancer cell growth and spread in the body. Gemzar can be used to treat cancers in the pancreas, lung, ovary, and breast. Gemzar can be given in conjunction with other cancer medications or when the other treatments have failed or stopped working.
Warnings
Gemzar lowers blood cells, which help the body fight infection and clot your blood. You could get an infection more easily or bleed. If you notice unusual bleeding or bruising, or if there are new signs of infection, such as fever, chills, fatigue, bruising, bleeding, or pale skin, call your doctor. Gemzar may also affect the liver, kidneys, or lungs. If you experience stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, swelling, rapid weight gain, severe shortness of breath, wheezing, or a cough with foamy sputum, tell your doctor. Tell your doctor if you experience severe skin redness or swelling.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to gemcitabine, then you should avoid using Gemzar.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Gemzar will be safe for you:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
- Alcoholism;
- Radiation treatment
Women and men who use gemzar are advised to use birth control methods that prevent pregnancy. Gemcitabine may harm an unborn child if either the mother or father uses this medication.
- Women should not use gemzar while pregnant. Before starting the treatment, you may need a negative pregnancy result. Use birth control to avoid pregnancy during the time you use this medication and for 6 months following your last dose.
- Use effective birth control if you're a man and your partner can get pregnant. Continue to use birth control for at least three months after your last dose.
- Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while the mother or father is using gemcitabine.
Gemzar can affect men's fertility. It is still important to use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as gemcitabine may harm the unborn child. While using gemcitabine and for at least one week after your last dosage, you should not breastfeed.
How to take Gemzar?
Gemzar is administered as an intravenous infusion. This injection will be given by a healthcare provider. If you experience any pain or swelling when Gemzar IV is injected, tell your caregivers. If you accidentally get Gemzar on your skin, clean the area with warm, soapy water. Gemcitabine may increase your risk of infection or bleeding by altering the way your immune system works. You'll need to have frequent medical tests.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you miss your appointment for a Gemzar infusion, contact your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Avoid people who are ill or infected. Avoid any activity that increases your risk of injury or bleeding. Avoid coming into contact with people who have recently received a “live” vaccine. You could contract the virus. Live vaccines are available for measles (chickenpox), rubella (MMR), yellow fever (typhoid), varicella, polio (rotavirus), typhoid (rotavirus), typhoid (rotavirus), zoster, shingles, and the nasal flu vaccine (influenza). Gemcitabine may pass into bodily fluids (urine, feces, or vomit). Avoid letting your body fluids come into contact with surfaces or your hands for at least 48 hours after receiving a dose. While cleaning up body fluids from a patient, handling contaminated garbage or laundry, or changing diapers, caregivers should wear rubber gloves. Hands should be washed before and after gloves are removed. Separately, wash soiled linens and clothing.
Side effects of Gemzar
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat, call 911 immediately. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience severe skin redness or swelling.
Call your doctor immediately if you:
- Headache, confusion, change in mental status, vision loss, seizure (convulsions);
- Blisters or ulcers on your gums; red or swollen gingivae; difficulty eating or swallowing
- Radiation treatment can cause severe skin irritation, including swelling, peeling, and redness.
- Liver problems: loss of appetite (upper right), stomach pain, itching, dark urine and clay-colored stool, jaundice
- Low blood cell counts: a fever, chills or fatigue, sores on the hands and feet, cold hands and feet;
- Fluid accumulation in or around the lung; feeling of shortness of breath when lying down; wheezing or gasping; coughing up foamy mucus or cold; clammy, anxious skin; or
- Signs of damaged red blood cells include unusual bleeding or bruising, pale skin or a pale complexion, bloody diarrhea, or red or pink urine. Swelling, rapid weight increase, little or no urination, or red or pink-colored urine
If you experience certain side effects, your cancer treatment may be delayed or discontinued permanently.
Gemzar may cause side effects such as:
- Fever;
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Low blood cell count
- Atypical blood or urine tests
- Shortness of breath
- You may experience swelling in your hands or feet.
- Mild rash
- Red or pink urine
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
Gemzar may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Inform your healthcare providers of all medications you are taking, including any new ones.
