About gemcitabin e
Antimetabolite chemotherapy (nucleoside analogue)
Used for
- Treats pancreatic, lung, breast, ovarian, and bladder cancers, alone or with other medicines.
Usual adult dose
Given by intravenous infusion; schedules and doses vary by cancer type and treatment plan.
Common side effects
- Low blood-cell counts, increasing infection or bleeding risk
- Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
- Rash, itching, or hair loss
- Fever, tiredness, or flu-like symptoms
Important warnings
- Can cause severe bone-marrow suppression and serious infections or bleeding.
- Rarely causes serious lung, liver, kidney, or blood-vessel complications.
- Treatment requires blood tests and specialist monitoring.
- For intravenous use by trained healthcare professionals.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Avoid during pregnancy; effective contraception is recommended during treatment and for 6 months afterward.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for at least one week after the final dose.
Interactions
- Radiotherapy may increase toxicity, especially when given together or close to treatment.
- Tell the oncology team about all medicines, vaccines, and supplements; interactions depend on the regimen.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.