Gemcitabine is an antineoplastic agent, which is metabolized intracellularly. Its cytotoxic activity is due to inhibition of the synthesis of DNA cells at the hands of its two active metabolites, the difluorodeossicitidindifosfate and difluorodeossicitidintrifosfate.
What is Gemcitabine?
Gemcitabine is an antineoplastic, anti-metabolites drug from the pyrimidine group. It is administered for the treatment of various cancers, in particular for:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Ovary cancer
- Lung cancer (non-small cell)
- Pancreas cancer
It can be administered alone or in combination with other anticancer drugs.
How should Gemcitabine be taken?
Gemcitabine is taken:
- Intravenously (infusion)
- Intravesically (catheter)
Side effects associated with Gemcitabine
Like all drugs for chemotherapy, Gemcitabine too can cause fatigue (asthenia) and it can decrease the appetite, which may arise in mild or severe form. The weakness can be linked to anemia. The adverse effects vary from subject to subject, depending on individual tolerance.
Listed below are the most common adverse effects:
- Temporary reduction in the production of blood cells by the bones (the decrease in red blood marrow causes decreased hemoglobin and therefore anemia, the decrease in white blood cells facilitates the development of infections, decreased platelets causes bruising or bleeding) Your blood cells will then increase steadily and will usually have returned to normal within 21-28 days after initiation of therapy;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Flu-like symptoms.
Less frequent side effects include:
- Temporary reduction of liver function (which in any case will be normalized at the end of treatment);
- Skin changes similar to acne eruptions, which can be itchy;
- Pain or ulcers in the mouth, with or without modest alterations of taste;
- Diarrhea;
- Drowsiness;
- Hair loss;
- Changes in renal function (occasional and reversible)
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Gemcitabine
Some medicines may interfere with the treatment with Gemcitabine, therefore it is strongly advised to communicate thoroughly with the oncologist what medications you take regularly and consult before taking any new medicine. Beware of solar radiation: chemotherapy drugs are spreading in all tissues through the bloodstream, including the skin; therefore, prolonged contact with the sun's rays can cause redness, rash, and sunburn. Moreover, it is not recommended to breast-feed during treatment with Gemcitabine.
