Pack size: 1 Injection  |  Price is for the whole Injection

⚠ Prescription required. This medicine may only be dispensed against a valid prescription.

Generic: Gemcitabine

Form: Injection 200mg/vial

Indication

Lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, ovarian carcinoma

Administration

IV Preparation Reconstitute 200 mg vial with 5 mL 0.9% NaCl OR 1000 mg vial with 25 mL 0.9% NaCl IV Administration For IV infusion only Concentrated injection (10 mg/mL) must be diluted to 2 mg/mL prior to administration Infuse over 30 min Avoid rapid infusions

Adult Dose

$49

Contraindication

Concurrent radical radiotherapy; pregnancy, lactation; hypersensitivity.

Mode of Action

Gemcitabine is a synthetic pyrimidine nucleoside and cytarabine analogue which is metabolised intracellularly to active diphosphate and triphosphate nucleosides. It inhibits DNA synthesis by inhibiting DNA polymerase and ribonucleotide reductase. It also induces apoptosis and is primarily active against cells in the S-phase, but may also arrest cells at the G1-S border.

Precaution

Children, hepatic and renal impairment. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Discontinue on 1st sign of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia. Prolonged infusion time (>60 minutes) and more frequent than wkly dosing may increase toxicity. Monitor CBC before every dose. Increased risk of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and/or thrombocytcpenic purpura which may lead to irreversible renal failure. Lactation: not known if excreted in breast milk; do not nurse

Introduction

$4a

Uses of __NAME__

{'list': ['Non-small cell lung cancer', 'Breast cancer', 'Pancreatic cancer', 'Urinary bladder cancer', 'Ovarian cancer']}

Side effects of __NAME__

{'tag': 'Common', 'list': ['Nausea', 'Vomiting', 'Loss of appetite', 'Hair loss', 'Low blood platelets', 'Allergic reaction', 'Breathlessness', 'Decreased white blood cell count', 'Increased liver enzymes', 'Anemia (low number of red blood cells)', 'Flu-like symptoms', 'Blood in urine', 'Skin rash', 'Protein in urine']}

How to use __NAME__

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

How __NAME__ works

__NAME__ interferes with the growth of DNA and RNA of the cancer cells by substituting their building blocks. It prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying.

Safety Advice

__NAME__ may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.

Safety Advice

__NAME__ is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

Safety Advice

__NAME__ is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.

Safety Advice

__NAME__ may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Safety Advice

There is limited information available on the use of __NAME__ in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor. Kidney function tests are advised before taking this medicine and regular monitoring is also recommended after the treatment.

Safety Advice

There is limited information available on the use of __NAME__ in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.