Gemcitabine Pharmacology

Gemcitabine

About Gemcitabine
Antimetabolite ,a nucleoside(Pyrimidine) Analog, Antineoplastic.
Mechanism of Action of Gemcitabine
Gemcitabine is metabolized intracellularly to 2 active metabolites, Gemcitabine diphosphate and Gemcitabine triphosphate by the enzyme nucleoside kinase.This triphosphate metabolites of drugs are incorporated into DNA with the assistance of Gemcitabine diphosphate which results the inhibition of DNA synthesis and induction of apoptosis. This reaction is cell-cycle phase specific
Pharmacokinets of Gemcitabine
Distribution- Widely distributed in the body. <10% bound to the plasma proteins.
Metabolism- Metabolized intracellularly to active metabolites Gemcitabine diphosphate and Gemcitabine triphosphate by the enzyme nucleoside kinase. Extracellularly it is metabolized to its inactive metabolites diflurodeoxyuridine by the enzyme cytidine deaminase
Excretion- Excreted through urine
Onset of Action for Gemcitabine
N/A
Duration of Action for Gemcitabine
N/A
Half Life of Gemcitabine
Its plasma half life after short infusion is 32-94min and after long infusion is 245-638 min
Side Effects of Gemcitabine
1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Lowered resistance to infection
4. Bruising or unusual bleeding
5. Anemia
6. Weakness
7. Sore in mouth
8. Taste changes
9. Diarrhea
10. Loss of appetite
11. Visual changes
12. Black, tarry stools
13. Blood in urine or in stool
14. Cough or hoarseness
15. Fever
16. Chills
17. Lower back or side pain
18. Painful or difficult urination
19. Pinpoint red spot on skin
20. Slurred speech
21. Swelling on leg or lower leg
22. Shortness of breath
23. Bloody vomiting
24. Thinned or brittle hair
25. Mouth blistering
26. Thrombocytopenia
27. Leucopenia
28. Rashes
29. Renal impairment
30. Pulmonary toxicity
31. Influenza like symptoms
32. Interstitial pneumonia
33. Pulmonary edema
34. Proteinurea
35. Hematurea
36. Hemolytic uremic syndrome
37. Elevation of serum transaminase
Contra-indications of Gemcitabine
1. Hypersensitivity to the drug
2. Concurrent radiotherapy
Special Precautions while taking Gemcitabine
1. Hepatic impairment
2. Renal dysfunction
3. Discontinue the treatment if there is first sign of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia occurs
4. Patient`s platelet count and blood count should be monitor before each dose
Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Contraindicated
Children Related Information
Use with caution
Indications for Gemcitabine
1. Lung cancer
2. Cervical cancer
3. Cancer of pancreas
4. Bladder cancer
5. Breast cancer
6. Lymphoma
7. Bile duct cancer
8. Cancer of gall bladder
9. Cancer of ovary
10. Cancer of testes
11. Head and neck cancer
12. Hodgkins disease
13. Esophageal cancer
Interactions for Gemcitabine
N/A
Typical Dosage for Gemcitabine
Intravenous-
Adult-
Lung carcinoma:100mg/metre square by 30 minutes infusion on day 1, 8, and 15 of each 28 day cycle OR 1250mg/metre square by 30 minutes infusion on day 1 and 8 of each 21 day cycle
Pancreatic cancer: 1000mg/metre square by 30 minutes infusion once weekly for 7 weeks followed by 1 week of rest and then repeat the cycle for 3 consecutive cycle

Schedule of Gemcitabine
N/A
Storage Requirements for Gemcitabine
Store at temperature 15 -30 degree C.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Gemcitabine
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Gemcitabine
Give symptomatic and supportive treatment

Home Delivery for Gemcitabine in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including gemcitabine.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for gemcitabine and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for gemcitabine may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take gemcitabine only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for gemcitabine before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for gemcitabine with the pharmacy.

Gemcitabine is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for gemcitabine might be better known than gemcitabine itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have gemcitabine in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for gemcitabine.