Gemcitabine Sun

Gemcitabine is available as an intravenous (into the vein) injection. It is usually injected through a specially prepared site on the skin. The recommended dose varies according to body size. Gemcitabine is usually given once a week by an intravenous infusion that usually takes about 30 minutes. Initially, it may be given weekly for up to 7 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period. After the first cycle of treatment, intravenous infusions are given weekly for 3 weeks followed by a rest period of 1 week.

Many things can affect the schedule and dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. Very careful handling of Gemcitabine Sun is required. It is always administered in a hospital or similar setting, where there is access to sterile equipment for preparation.

As well as interfering with the genetic material DNA of cancer cells, gemcitabine can interfere with some of your normal cells. This may cause a number of side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor as suggested in the section, "What side effects are possible with Gemcitabine Sun?"

It is important Gemcitabine Sun be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive gemcitabine, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

200 mg
Each vial of sterile lyophilized powder contains 200 mg of gemcitabine (as the hydrochloride salt). Nonmedicinal ingredients: mannitol, sodium acetate trihydrate, and hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment).

1000 mg
Each vial of of sterile lyophilized powder contains 1,000 mg of gemcitabine (as the hydrochloride salt). Nonmedicinal ingredients: mannitol, sodium acetate trihydrate, and hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment).

Gemcitabine should not be used by anyone who is allergic to gemcitabine or to any of the ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between gemcitabine and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (Asa)
• amphotericin B
• Bleomycin
• other cancer medications
• Clozapine
• Deferiprone
• Denosumab
• Digoxin
• dipyrone
• echinacea
• Fingolimod
• Fluorouracil
• Leflunomide
• Natalizumab
• Nivolumab
• Pimecrolimus
• Roflumilast
• Tacrolimus
• Tofacitinib
• Trastuzumab
• vaccines
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Gemcitabine Sun. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Gemcitabine Sun.

Blood clotting: Gemcitabine Sun can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Your doctor will monitor the number of platelets in your blood with regular blood tests while you are using Gemcitabine Sun. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that won't stop bleeding.

Fever and flu-like symptoms: Gemcitabine can cause a fever and flu-like symptoms (chills, feeling unwell) that are not associated with an infection. Your doctor may prescribe Acetaminophen to help treat this reaction.

Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, Gemcitabine Sun can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Avoid contact with people who have contagious infections and tell your doctor if you begin to notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills. Your doctor will monitor the number of white blood cells in your blood with regular blood tests while you are using Gemcitabine Sun.

Kidney problems: Rarely, gemcitabine can cause a rapid breakdown of red blood cells that can be associated with kidney failure and may be fatal. Your doctor will monitor you for this while you are receiving Gemcitabine Sun. People who have kidney problems should discuss with their doctor how Gemcitabine Sun may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Gemcitabine Sun, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver problems: Gemcitabine may reduce liver function and can cause liver failure. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Gemcitabine Sun may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Gemcitabine Sun, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Lung inflammation: Lung inflammation, causing difficulty breathing has occurred rarely in some people taking Gemcitabine Sun. This complication can be serious and sometimes fatal. If you experience new or worsening shortness of breath or cough (with or without fever) at any time while you are taking gemcitabine contact your doctor immediately.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS): This is a rare disease of the brain that may occur when using medications like gemcitabine. If you have had a previous episode of RPLS, gemcitabine may not be an appropriate medication for you. If you experience signs and symptoms of RPLS, such as headache, seizures, change in awareness or consciousness or vision changes, contact your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: Gemcitabine should not be used during pregnancy. Effective birth control should be used while receiving Gemcitabine Sun. Gemcitabine may harm the baby if used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Gemcitabine Sun, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if gemcitabine passes into breast milk. Women receiving gemcitabine should not breast-feed.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Gemcitabine Sun have not been established for children.