Gemcitabine (Cont.)

Dosing Information for Gemcitabine

The dose of gemcitabine that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The type of cancer being treated
  • Your height and weight
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As always, do not adjust your gemcitabine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Gemcitabine Dosing for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Gemcitabine

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with gemcitabine. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, some people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in some cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of gemcitabine include but are not limited to:
 
  • Increased liver enzymes (which can be a sign of liver damage)
  • Nausea and vomiting (see Chemotherapy and Nausea)
  • Anemia (see Chemotherapy and Anemia)
  • Neutropenia (low levels of a certain type of white blood cell called neutrophils).
     
(Click Gemcitabine Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 
(Gemcitabine Continued: Page 4)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;