Ovarian Cancer

Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) in combination with carboplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer that has relapsed at least 6 months after completion of platinum-based therapy.

Breast Cancer

Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) in combination with paclitaxel is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior anthracycline-containing adjuvant chemotherapy, unless anthracyclines were clinically contraindicated.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) is indicated in combination with cisplatin for the first-line treatment of patients with inoperable, locally advanced (Stage IIIA or IIIB), or metastatic (Stage IV) non-small cell lung cancer.

Pancreatic Cancer

Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) is indicated as first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced (nonresectable Stage II or Stage III) or metastatic (Stage IV) adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) is indicated for patients previously treated with 5-FU.

Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) is for intravenous use only. Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) may be administered on an outpatient basis.

Ovarian Cancer

Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be administered intravenously at a dose of 1000 mg/m² over 30 minutes on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle. Carboplatin AUC 4 should be administered intravenously on Day 1 after Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) administration. Patients should be monitored prior to each dose with a complete blood count, including differential counts. Patients should have an absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1500 x 10⁶/L and a platelet count ≥ 100,000 x 10⁶/L prior to each cycle.

Dose Modifications

Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) dosage adjustment for hematological toxicity within a cycle of treatment is based on the granulocyte and platelet counts taken on Day 8 of therapy. If marrow suppression is detected, Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) dosage should be modified according to guidelines in Table 1.

Table 1: Day 8 Dosage Reduction Guidelines for Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) in Combination with Carboplatin

In general, for severe (Grade 3 or 4) non-hematological toxicity, except nausea/vomiting, therapy with Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be held or decreased by 50% depending on the judgment of the treating physician. For carboplatin dosage adjustment, see manufacturer's prescribing information.

Dose adjustment for Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) in combination with carboplatin for subsequent cycles is based upon observed toxicity. The dose of Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) in subsequent cycles should be reduced to 800 mg/m² on Days 1 and 8 in case of any of the following hematologic toxicities:

• Absolute granulocyte count < 500 x 10⁶/L for more than 5 days
• Absolute granulocyte count < 100 x 10⁶/L for more than 3 days Febrile neutropenia
• Platelets < 25,000 x 10⁶/L
• Cycle delay of more than one week due to toxicity

If any of the above toxicities recur after the initial dose reduction, for the subsequent cycle, Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be given on Day 1 only at 800 mg/m².

Breast Cancer

Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be administered intravenously at a dose of 1250 mg/m² over 30 minutes on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle. Paclitaxel should be administered at 175 mg/m² on Day 1 as a 3-hour intravenous infusion before Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) administration. Patients should be monitored prior to each dose with a complete blood count, including differential counts. Patients should have an absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1500 x 10⁶/L and a platelet count ≥ 100,000 x 10⁶/L prior to each cycle.

Dose Modifications

Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) dosage adjustment for hematological toxicity is based on the granulocyte and platelet counts taken on Day 8 of therapy. If marrow suppression is detected, Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) dosage should be modified according to the guidelines in Table 2.

Table 2: Day 8 Dosage Reduction Guidelines for Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) in Combination with Paclitaxel

In general, for severe (Grade 3 or 4) non-hematological toxicity, except alopecia and nausea/vomiting, therapy with Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be held or decreased by 50% depending on the judgment of the treating physician. For paclitaxel dosage adjustment, see manufacturer's prescribing information.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Two schedules have been investigated and the optimum schedule has not been determined [see Clinical Studies]. With the 4-week schedule, Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be administered intravenously at 1000 mg/m² over 30 minutes on Days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. Cisplatin should be administered intravenously at 100 mg/m² on Day 1 after the infusion of Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) . With the 3-week schedule, Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be administered intravenously at 1250 mg/m² over 30 minutes on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle. Cisplatin at a dose of 100 mg/m² should be administered intravenously after the infusion of Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) on Day 1. See prescribing information for cisplatin administration and hydration guidelines.

Dose Modifications

Dosage adjustments for hematologic toxicity may be required for Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) and for cisplatin. Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) dosage adjustment for hematological toxicity is based on the granulocyte and platelet counts taken on the day of therapy. Patients receiving Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be monitored prior to each dose with a complete blood count (CBC), including differential and platelet counts. If marrow suppression is detected, therapy should be modified or suspended according to the guidelines in Table 3. For cisplatin dosage adjustment, see manufacturer's prescribing information.

In general, for severe (Grade 3 or 4) non-hematological toxicity, except alopecia and nausea/vomiting, therapy with Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) plus cisplatin should be held or decreased by 50% depending on the judgment of the treating physician. During combination therapy with cisplatin, serum creatinine, serum potassium, serum calcium, and serum magnesium should be carefully monitored (Grade 3/4 serum creatinine toxicity for Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) plus cisplatin was 5% versus 2% for cisplatin alone).

Pancreatic Cancer

Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be administered by intravenous infusion at a dose of 1000 mg/m² over 30 minutes once weekly for up to 7 weeks (or until toxicity necessitates reducing or holding a dose), followed by a week of rest from treatment. Subsequent cycles should consist of infusions once weekly for 3 consecutive weeks out of every 4 weeks.

Dose Modifications

Dosage adjustment is based upon the degree of hematologic toxicity experienced by the patient [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Clearance in women and the elderly is reduced and women were somewhat less able to progress to subsequent cycles [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Patients receiving Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be monitored prior to each dose with a complete blood count (CBC), including differential and platelet count. If marrow suppression is detected, therapy should be modified or suspended according to the guidelines in Table 3.

Table 3: Dosage Reduction Guidelines

Laboratory evaluation of renal and hepatic function, including transaminases and serum creatinine, should be performed prior to initiation of therapy and periodically thereafter. Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should be administered with caution in patients with evidence of significant renal or hepatic impairment as there is insufficient information from clinical studies to allow clear dose recommendation for these patient populations.

Patients treated with Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) who complete an entire cycle of therapy may have the dose for subsequent cycles increased by 25%, provided that the absolute granulocyte count (AGC) and platelet nadirs exceed 1500 x 10⁶/L and 100,000 x 10⁶/L, respectively, and if non-hematologic toxicity has not been greater than WHO Grade 1. If patients tolerate the subsequent course of Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) at the increased dose, the dose for the next cycle can be further increased by 20%, provided again that the AGC and platelet nadirs exceed 1500 x 10⁶/L and 100,000 x 10⁶/L, respectively, and that non-hematologic toxicity has not been greater than WHO Grade 1.

Preparation and Administration Precautions

Caution should be exercised in handling and preparing Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) solutions. The use of gloves is recommended. If Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) solution contacts the skin or mucosa, immediately wash the skin thoroughly with soap and water or rinse the mucosa with copious amounts of water. Although acute dermal irritation has not been observed in animal studies, 2 of 3 rabbits exhibited drug-related systemic toxicities (death, hypoactivity, nasal discharge, shallow breathing) due to dermal absorption.

Procedures for proper handling and disposal of anti-cancer drugs should be considered. Several guidelines on this subject have been published [see References].

Preparation for Intravenous Infusion Administration

The recommended diluent for reconstitution of Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) is 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection without preservatives. Due to solubility considerations, the maximum concentration for Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) upon reconstitution is 40 mg/mL. Reconstitution at concentrations greater than 40 mg/mL may result in incomplete dissolution, and should be avoided.

To reconstitute, add 5 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection to the 200-mg vial or 25 mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection to the 1-g vial. Shake to dissolve. These dilutions each yield a gemcitabine concentration of 38 mg/mL which includes accounting for the displacement volume of the lyophilized powder (0.26 mL for the 200-mg vial or 1.3 mL for the 1-g vial). The total volume upon reconstitution will be 5.26 mL or 26.3 mL, respectively. Complete withdrawal of the vial contents will provide 200 mg or 1 g of gemcitabine, respectively. Prior to administration the appropriate amount of drug must be diluted with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. Final concentrations may be as low as 0.1 mg/mL.

Reconstituted Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) is a clear, colorless to light straw-colored solution. After reconstitution with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, the pH of the resulting solution lies in the range of 2.7 to 3.3. The solution should be inspected visually for paniculate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution or container permit. If particulate matter or discoloration is found, do not administer.

When prepared as directed, Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) solutions are stable for 24 hours at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Discard unused portion. Solutions of reconstituted Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) should not be refrigerated, as crystallization may occur.

The compatibility of Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) with other drugs has not been studied. No incompatibilities have been observed with infusion bottles or polyvinyl chloride bags and administration sets.

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Gemzar (gemcitabine for injection, USP) is a white to off-white lyophilized powder available in sterile single-use vials containing 200 mg or 1 g gemcitabine.

Gemzar (gemcitabine for injection, USP), is available in sterile single-use vials individually packaged in a carton containing:

200 mg white to off-white, lyophilized powder in a 10-mL size sterile single-use vial - NDC 0002-7501-01 (No. 7501)

1 g white to off-white, lyophilized powder in a 50-mL size sterile single-use vial - NDC 0002-7502-01 (No. 7502)

Storage and Handling

Unopened vials of Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) are stable until the expiration date indicated on the package when stored at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) and that allows for excursions between 15° and 30°C (59° and 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature] [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA. Eli Lilly and Company.

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/4/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.