Gemcitabine

What it is used for

Gemcitabine Injection is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor indicated: in combination with carboplatin, for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer that has relapsed at least 6 months after completion of platinum-based therapy. in combination with paclitaxel, for first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior anthracycline-containing adjuvant chemotherapy, unless anthracyclines were clinically contraindicated.

in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. as a single agent for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Ovarian Cancer Gemcitabine Injection in combination with carboplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer that has relapsed at least 6 months after completion of platinum-based therapy.

Breast Cancer Gemcitabine Injection in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior anthracycline-containing adjuvant chemotherapy, unless anthracyclines were clinically contraindicated. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Gemcitabine Injection in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with inoperable, locally advanced (Stage IIIA or IIIB) or metastatic (Stage IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Pancreatic Cancer Gemcitabine Injection is indicated as first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced (nonresectable Stage II or Stage III) or metastatic (Stage IV) adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Gemcitabine Injection is indicated for patients previously treated with fluorouracil.

Side effects, and when to stop

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:

• Hypersensitivity
• Schedule-Dependent Toxicity
• Myelosuppression
• Pulmonary Toxicity and Respiratory Failure
• Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
• Hepatic Toxicity
• Exacerbation of Radiation Therapy Toxicity
• Capillary Leak Syndrome
• Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

Who should not take it

Gemcitabine for Injection is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to gemcitabine. Reactions include anaphylaxis.