Gemcitabine

Drug #1134

Gemcitabine is antineoplastic agent, also called as anticancer drug. Gemcitabine is used in the treatment of different cancers such as in palliative treatment of non-small cell lung cancer to slow or stop the growth of abnormal cells. Gemcitabine is used in combination with different anticancer drugs to obtain best therapeutic effects and to reduce toxicity or side effects. It is a pyrimidine antimetabolite used in treatment of solid tumours. It is an analog of eytidine.

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Primary Characteristics

It belongs to Diflurocytidine.

It is classified in Antineoplastic Agnet, Antimetabolite pharmacological group. It is also classified under Antiparkinson Agents .

Molecular Weight: 299.7 · Solubility in Water: soluble · Solubility in Alcohol: Insoluble · Non-proprietary name: Gemcitabine.

Pharmacokinetics

Distribution: Gemcitabine has a volume of distribution is 50 l/sq.meter. plasma protein binding is negligible, low, 10% in humans.

Elimination: it is metabolised via liver and other tissues, plasma half-life is 42 - 94 min, renal excretion is < 10 %.

Indications

Gemcitabine is primarily indicated in conditions like Breast cancer, Head and neck cancer, Locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer, Lung cancer, Lung cancer and pancreatic cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Treatment of locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Contraindications

None recorded.

Dosage

Gemcitabine's dosage details are as follows:

Dose	Single Dose	Frequency	Route	Instructions
Adult Dosage
1 g/ sq.meter	1 g/ sq.meter	Every 0.8h	IV Inf	Once a week for 3 weeks.
Paediatric Dosage (20kg)
No data.
Neonatal Dosage (3kg)
No data.

Drug Interactions

Unknown1 interaction

Always consult your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be required.

Side Effects

Gemcitabine produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Thrombocytopenia , Pneumonitis, Leukopenia, Used with radical radiotherapy. Careful monitoring is needed with proper medical management.

Gemcitabine is known to cause more or less tolerable side effects which are usually transient. These include Alopecia, Anemia, Constipation , Dypnoea, Edema, Fever, Flu like symptoms, Leukopenia, Nausea and vomiting, Neutropenia, Oedema, Pruritis, Pulmonary firbrosis, Rashes , StomatitisX, Thrombocytopenia.

Warnings / Precautions

Gemcitabine is not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation. Immunosuppressent drug should not be given, where possible, to patients with acute infection, dosage reduction or withdrawal should be considered if infection develops, until the infection has been controlled. Blood counts and measurement of hemoglobin concentration should be carried out routinely, help to predict the onset of bone marrow depression. It may cause fever. Discontinue if scure pulmonary toxicity ocurs. Use with caution in hepatic impairement, renal impairement, concurnet radiotheraphy.

Interference in Pathology

Gemcitabine may interfere in the diagnosis of Transaminase increased, Bilirubin increased, Alkaline phosphatase increased, Proteinurea, BUN increased, Creatinine increased.

Available Brands

Click on a strength to view available brands.

Single Ingredient

Inj

1 g 1 gm 100 mg 1000 MG 200 mg

Storage Conditions

Gemcitabine should be stored . Inj (reconstituted soln) (At once after preparation).

Drug Classification

1.8.2 — Cytotoxic (anti-neoplastic) drugs

Manufacturers

Manufacturers of Gemcitabine in Pakistan:

A.J.Mirza Al-Habib Atco Ferozson Lilly Novartis ONCOGENE Pharmevo