Gemzar

Drugs

Generic Name: Gemcitabine hydrochloride
Product Name: Gemzar

Indication of Gemzar
Action of Gemzar
Dose Advice of Gemzar
Schedule of Gemzar
Common side effects of Gemzar
Uncommon side effects of Gemzar
Reference

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

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Action of Gemzar:

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

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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.

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Schedule of Gemzar:

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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.

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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.

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