Gemcitabine is an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug. It is used for pancreas cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, soft-tissue sarcoma, metastatic breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Gemcitabine is classified as an antimetabolite. Gemcitabine inhibits an enzyme essential to DNA synthesis. As a result, the cells cannot correctly divide, and thus die.
Gemcitabine can be given alone or in combination with other medications or therapies, such as radiation. Side effects can be increased when given together with radiotherapy. Therefore, there should be at least seven days between those two treatments.
Gemcitabine is given by slow injection into a vein. A pill form is still not available.
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<a href='https://dr-adem.com/increase-efficacy-of-gemcitabine/'><img src='https://dr-adem.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gemcitabine-how-to-improve-the-efficacy.jpg' alt='Increase Efficacy Of Gemcitabine'/></a>Common side effects are:
- Flu-like symptoms, fever
- Fatigue
- Liver toxicity
- Nausea, vomiting and, poor appetite
- Skin rash
- Low blood counts (white cells, red blood cells, and thrombocytes)
While taking Gemcitabine, you should avoid being pregnant. Effective birth control is necessary for men and women. Please avoid breastfeeding while receiving chemotherapy.
Drug interactions can enhance the toxicity of Gemcitabine.
Known interaction are:
- dexamethasone
- gabapentin
- furosemide
- lorazepam, alprazolam
- metformin
- omeprazole
- ondansetron
- oxycodone
- vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
- zoledronic acid