Gemzar can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or new signs of infection (fever, chills, tiredness, bruising or bleeding, pale skin).
Gemzar can also affect your liver, kidneys, or lungs. Tell your doctor if you have stomach pain, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain, severe shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough with foamy mucus.
If you receive gemcitabine during or after radiation treatment, tell your doctor right away if you have severe skin redness, swelling, oozing, or peeling.
Before receiving Gemzar
You should not use Gemzar if you are allergic to gemcitabine.
To make sure Gemzar is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
kidney disease;
liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
alcoholism; or
radiation treatment.
Both men and women using Gemzar should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Gemcitabine can harm an unborn baby if the mother or father is using this medicine.
If you are a woman, do not use Gemzar if you are pregnant. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.
Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using gemcitabine.
Gemzar may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because gemcitabine can harm an unborn baby.
You should not breastfeed while you are using gemcitabine, and for at least 1 week after your last dose.
How is Gemzar used?
Gemzar is injected into a vein as an IV infusion. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when Gemzar is injected.
If any Gemzar injection accidentally gets on your skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water.
Gemcitabine can increase your risk of bleeding or infection by changing the way your immune system works. You will need frequent medical tests.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a miss an appointment to receive your Gemzar infusion.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
