Gemzar

Indication of Gemzar:

Treatment of the following locally advanced, metastatic or non responsive cancers: - Non-small cell lung cancer- Pancreatic adenocarcinoma- Bladder cancer- Breast cancer- Ovarian carcinoma

Action of Gemzar:

Gemciabine targets and kills cancer cells. It does this by damaging the DNA within the cell rendering it incapable of dividing.

Dose Advice of Gemzar:

Gemcitabine is administered intravenously.The dose and administration regime varies with cancer type, combination therapy, hepatic and renal insufficiency and age of the patient.In general, a dose of approximately 1,000 mg/m2 is given over a 30-minute period. This is repeated weekly or monthly during the designated treatment period.Gemcitabine may cause drowsiness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if affected

Schedule of Gemzar:

S4

Common side effects of Gemzar:

- Low platelet and immune cell count.- Anaemia.- Drowsiness.- Shortness of breath.- Nausea.- Vomiting.- Diarrhoea.- Constipation.- Allergic skin rash.- Hair loss.- Itchness.- Ulceration of mucous membrane of the mouth.- Blood or protein in the urine.- Swelling.- Flu like symptoms.- Fever.- Weakness.- Raised Liver function tests.

Uncommon side effects of Gemzar:

- Allergic reactions.- Heart failure or arrhythmia.- Low blood pressure.- Lung dysfunction.- Changes in the skin.- Kidney failure.- Cough.- Colds.- Perspiration.- Sleeping difficulties.

Reference:

[1] MIMS Australia Pty Ltd [online]. Gemzar. MediMedia: NSW; 2005.

Diseases treated by Gemzar:

Breast Cancer (Pre-Invasive Ductal Carcinoma; Ductal Carcinoma In Situ; DCIS) Carcinoma of the Breast Lung Cancer (Adenocarcinoma of the Lung) Pancreatic Cancer (Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas)

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