Dangerous Drug: Gemcitabine Hydrochloride(jem site’ ah ben)
Gemzar
PREGNANCY CATEGORY D
Drug Classes
Antimetabolite
Antineoplastic
Pyrimidine analogue
Therapeutic Actions
Cytotoxic: A nucleoside analogue that is cell cycle S–specific; causes cell death by disrupting and inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Indications
First-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma of pancreas; indicated for patients who have previously received 5-FU
In combination with cisplatin as the first-line treatment of inoperable, locally advanced or metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer
In combination with paclitaxel for initial treatment of metastatic breast cancer after failure of adjuvant therapy with an anthracycline-containing regimen
In combination with carboplatin for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer that
has relapsed at least 6 mo after completion of a platinum-based therapy
Unlabeled uses: Treatment of biliary cancer, bladder cancer, relapsed or refractory testicular cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to gemcitabine.
Use cautiously with bone marrow suppression, renal or hepatic impairment, pregnancy, lactation.
Available Forms
Powder for injection—200 mg, 1 g, 2 g
Dosages
Adults
Pancreatic cancer: 1,000 mg/m2 IV over 30 min given once weekly for up to 7 wk or until bone marrow suppression requires withholding treatment; subsequent cycles of once weekly for 3 out of 4 consecutive weeks can be given after 1-wk rest from treatment. For a patient who has completed the 7-wk course of initial therapy, the dose may be increased by 25% provided there is no significant hematologic toxicity.
Non–small-cell lung cancer: 1,000 mg/m2 IV over 30 min, days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle with 100 mg/m2 cisplatin on day 1 after gemcitabine infusion, or 1,250 mg/m2 IV over 30 min, days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle with 100 mg/m2 cisplatin on day 1 after gemcitabine infusion.
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