gemcitabine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Pyrimidine analogue antimetabolite chemotherapy
How it is given
Intravenous infusion prepared and administered by a specialist cancer team
Licensed cancer types
Bladder, pancreatic, non-small-cell lung, ovarian and breast cancers in specified settings
Important monitoring
Blood counts, kidney and liver function, and treatment toxicity
What is gemcitabine hydrochloride used for?
The selected intravenous product is licensed for:
Locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer, with cisplatin.
Locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, usually with cisplatin; use alone may be considered for specified older or less-fit patients.
Relapsed locally advanced or metastatic epithelial ovarian cancer, with carboplatin, after an adequate platinum-free interval.
Unresectable locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, with paclitaxel, after specified previous chemotherapy.
How does gemcitabine hydrochloride work?
Inside cells, gemcitabine is converted to active metabolites. These reduce the building blocks available for DNA and become incorporated into new DNA, stopping further DNA synthesis and promoting the death of actively dividing cells.
gemcitabine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 10 mg/mL, 38 mg/mL, 200 mg, 1000 mg
How to take gemcitabine hydrochloride
Gemcitabine is not taken by mouth. The concentrate is diluted aseptically and given into a vein by trained healthcare professionals. Tell the nurse immediately about pain, burning, redness or swelling around the infusion site.
Attend planned blood tests and clinical reviews.
Take prescribed anti-sickness medicines as directed.
Tell the cancer team about all medicines, supplements, vaccines and recent radiotherapy.
gemcitabine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reduced white cells, platelets or red cells, increasing the risks of infection, bruising or anaemia
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness and flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache or aching
- Breathlessness or cough
- Rash, itching, sweating or hair loss
- Swelling, particularly around the ankles, legs or face
- Mouth soreness, diarrhoea or constipation
- Changes in liver tests, or blood or protein in urine
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, shivering or other infection symptoms, particularly when feeling unwell
- Unexpected bleeding, extensive bruising or profound weakness
- New or worsening breathlessness, chest pain or rapidly increasing swelling
- A painful widespread rash, blisters, peeling skin or mouth sores
- Very little urine, marked swelling, jaundice or unusual bruising
- Seizures, confusion, severe headache or sudden visual disturbance
- Facial or throat swelling, wheezing, faintness or other signs of a severe allergic reaction
gemcitabine hydrochloride in pregnancy
Gemcitabine can damage a developing baby and should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. Effective contraception is required during treatment and afterwards—six months for patients who could become pregnant and three months for male patients. Contact the cancer team immediately if pregnancy occurs, and discuss fertility preservation before treatment where relevant.
gemcitabine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated during treatment because harm to the infant cannot be excluded. Ask the oncology and infant-care teams when breastfeeding could safely restart.
gemcitabine hydrochloride interactions
Formal interaction studies are limited. The cancer team should review all prescribed, non-prescription, herbal and complementary products.
Yellow fever and other live vaccines
Avoid during treatment because immunosuppression may allow serious or potentially fatal vaccine-related infection.
Radiotherapy
Treatment given close to gemcitabine can increase tissue toxicity, including severe inflammation of the lungs or oesophagus; specialist coordination is required.
Alcohol
Alcohol may worsen associated drowsiness, affecting driving or machinery use.
Common questions about gemcitabine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is gemcitabine hydrochloride chemotherapy?
Yes. It is cytotoxic antimetabolite chemotherapy that disrupts DNA production in dividing cells.
Why are blood tests needed?
Gemcitabine can reduce white cells, platelets and red cells and affect liver or kidney function. Tests help determine whether treatment can proceed safely.
What should I do if I develop a fever?
Contact the 24-hour cancer team immediately and follow its temperature guidance. Infection can become serious when white blood cells are reduced.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.