Gemzar (Gemcitabine Hcl) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

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May 27, 2012

Gemzar

Lung Cancer »

What is lung cancer?

Cancer of the lung, like all cancers, results from an abnormality in the body's basic unit of life, the cell. Normally, the body maintains a system of checks and balances on cell growth so that cells divide to produce new cells only when new cells are needed. Disruption of this system of checks and balances on cell growth results in an uncontrolled division and proliferation of cells that eventually forms a mass known as a tumor.

Tumors can be benign or malignant; when we speak of "cancer," we are referring to those tumors that are malignant. Benign tumors usually can be removed and do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, grow aggressively and invade other tissues of the body, allowing entry of tumor cells into the bloodstream or lymphatic system and then to other sites in the body. This process of spread is termed metastasis; the areas of tumor growth at these distant ...

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PATIENT INFORMATION

Low Blood Cells Counts

Patients should be adequately informed of the risk of low blood cell counts and instructed to immediately contact their physician should any sign of infection develop including fever. Patients should also contact their physician if bleeding or symptoms of anemia occur [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Pregnancy

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) in pregnant women. Based on animal studies Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the risks to the fetus need to be discussed with their physician [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use in Specific Populations].

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Gemzar (gemcitabine hcl) , a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother [see Use In Specific Populations].

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