Gemzar

Pancreatic Neoplasms, Mesothelioma, Malignant Neoplasms + 15 more
Treatment
14 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Gemzar

What is Gemzar

GemcitabineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryGemcitabine (also known as Gemzar) is a chemotherapy drug used to treat various types of cancer. It works by replacing the building blocks of DNA, which stops tumor growth and causes cancer cells to die. Gemcitabine is approved by the FDA to treat advanced ovarian cancer, metastatic breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer. It is administered intravenously and is being studied for other types of cancer as well.
Gemzaris the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Gemzar Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Gemzar
Gemcitabine
1996
101

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Gemcitabine, otherwise known as Gemzar, is approved by the FDA for 14 uses including Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Locally Advanced and Metastatic Breast Cancer .
Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Locally Advanced
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Used to treat Metastatic Breast Cancer in combination with Paclitaxel
Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Used to treat Advanced Ovarian Cancer in combination with Carboplatin
Bladder Transitional Cell Carcinoma Stage IV
Used to treat Bladder Transitional Cell Carcinoma Stage IV in combination with Cisplatin
stage 4 Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Urinary Bladder
Used to treat Bladder Transitional Cell Carcinoma Stage IV in combination with Cisplatin
Ovarian Neoplasms
Used to treat Advanced Ovarian Cancer in combination with Carboplatin
Relapsed Cancer
Used to treat Relapsed Cancer in combination with Carboplatin
Pharmacotherapy
Used to treat previous platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with Carboplatin
Pancreatic Neoplasms
Pancreatic Neoplasms
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Used to treat Metastatic Breast Cancer in combination with Paclitaxel
previous adjuvant anthracycline-containg therapy
Used to treat previous adjuvant anthracycline-containg therapy in combination with Paclitaxel
disease progression after chemotherapy
Used to treat disease progression after chemotherapy in combination with Paclitaxel

Effectiveness

How Gemzar Affects PatientsGemcitabine is a drug used to treat a variety of cancers. It works by blocking cancer cells from making more cells, which can help reduce the size of a tumor. It is usually given as an infusion, which means it is injected over an extended period of time rather than all at once. Clinical trials have shown that gemcitabine can reduce tumor size in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and metastatic breast cancer. However, taking gemcitabine can have some side effects, such as anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.
How Gemzar works in the bodyGemcitabine is a drug that works to stop cancer cells from reproducing. It does this by blocking the chain of DNA which cancer cells need to reproduce. Gemcitabine works to increase the probability of DNA chain termination by reducing the amount of a certain enzyme which helps cancer cells reproduce. It also prevents the drug from leaving the cell, allowing it to stay active for longer and increase its effectiveness.

When to interrupt dosage

The amount of Gemzar is contingent upon the declared condition, for example Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Locally Advanced, Metastatic Breast Cancer and Small Cell Lung Cancer. The dosage is contingent upon the approach of delivery (e.g. Powder or Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution) displayed in the following table.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Head and Neck Neoplasms
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Pharmacotherapy
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Malignant Neoplasms
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Hodgkin Disease
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Relapsed Cancer
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
previous adjuvant anthracycline-containg therapy
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Pancreatic Neoplasms
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Mesothelioma
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Malignant Neoplasms
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Malignant Neoplasms
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Metastatic Breast Cancer
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
disease progression after chemotherapy
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Ovarian Neoplasms
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Small Cell Lung Cancer
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
CTAGE1 protein, human
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Urinary Bladder
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous
Pancreatic Neoplasms
, 200.0 mg/mL, 100.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 38.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL
, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intravenous, Solution, Solution - Intravenous, Powder, Powder - Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous

Warnings

Gemzar Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Gemcitabine may interact with Pulse Frequency
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Gemzar.
Common Gemzar Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Gemcitabine is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Gemcitabine is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abatacept
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Gemcitabine is combined with Abatacept.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Gemcitabine is combined with Abetimus.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Gemcitabine is combined with Acteoside.
Gemzar Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe lowest toxic dose of gemcitabine in mice is 333mg/kg, and in rats it is greater than 500mg/kg. When applied to the skin of rabbits, the lowest toxic dose is greater than 1000mg/kg. There is no antidote for gemcitabine overdose, so patients should be monitored for signs of myelosuppression, tingling sensations, and severe rash. Supportive therapy should be given to those who overdose on gemcitabine.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Gemzar Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Gemzar?

333 active studies are currently investigating the potential of Gemzar in providing relief from Small Cell Lung Cancer, Hodgkin Disease and Cervical Cancer.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Pharmacotherapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Ovarian Neoplasms
10 Actively Recruiting
Early Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 1, Not Applicable, Phase 3
Metastatic Breast Cancer
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2
Malignant Neoplasms
0 Actively Recruiting
previous adjuvant anthracycline-containg therapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Hodgkin Disease
3 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1
Pancreatic Neoplasms
12 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable
Malignant Neoplasms
0 Actively Recruiting
Mesothelioma
0 Actively Recruiting
Malignant Neoplasms
3 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2
Pancreatic Neoplasms
0 Actively Recruiting
Urinary Bladder
0 Actively Recruiting
Small Cell Lung Cancer
47 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3, Early Phase 1
CTAGE1 protein, human
11 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Not Applicable, Phase 2, Early Phase 1, Phase 3
Head and Neck Neoplasms
6 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1
disease progression after chemotherapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Relapsed Cancer
10 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
27 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 3, Not Applicable

Gemzar Reviews: What are patients saying about Gemzar?

5Patient Review
7/22/2014
Gemzar for Breast Cancer that has Spread to Another Part of the Body
Following an allergic reaction to Docetaxil, I began a new regimen of carbo/gemzar/w Benadryl & anti nausea med. Six months later, my breast tumors are gone. I have had low blood counts for the last two months, but Procrit has helped me feel better. My gemzar is given in two doses a week apart followed by IV /w magnesium & potassium the next week, then a week off (bloodwork) and the cycle starts again. To avoid constipation from the anti-nausea meds, I eat fruit after each treatment.
5Patient Review
6/30/2015
Gemzar for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
I was looking at death short-term, and now I'm a year out with only a handful of tumors remaining. This treatment really turned things around for me.
5Patient Review
6/16/2021
Gemzar for Breast Cancer that has Spread to Another Part of the Body
I am so pleased with how well Gemzar has worked for me. My cancer markers have decreased significantly, and the spots are visibly smaller.
4.3Patient Review
1/21/2014
Gemzar for Breast Cancer that has Spread to Another Part of the Body
I'm feeling good so far. My blood cell counts have been low, but my doctor hasn't had me take anything for that yet; they just lowered my doses to 50 and 75 percent. I've got my first CAT scan coming up this Friday, and fingers crossed it's working because I don't mind the treatment otherwise.
3.7Patient Review
9/11/2010
Gemzar for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
I have been taking this medicine for a little while now and it has been working well for me. I haven't had any problems and I am generally satisfied with it.
View All Reviews
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about gemzar

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Can Gemzar cure cancer?

"Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug used to treat various types of cancer by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells."

Answered by AI

How long can you take Gemzar?

"The typical course of treatment for gemcitabine consists of several cycles spaced out over a period of 21 to 28 days, with each cycle lasting for one week of treatment followed by one week of rest."

Answered by AI

How effective is Gemzar?

"Patients treated with Taxotere and Gemzar had a 47% chance of surviving for at least one year, compared to 42% for those treated with Platinol and vinorelbine. However, both groups of patients had a similar chance of surviving without their cancer progressing for four months."

Answered by AI

What type of chemo is Gemzar?

"Gemzar is a drug that is used to treat cancer. It works by interfering with the way cancer cells grow."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Gemzar

Have you considered Gemzar clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Gemzar, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Gemzar clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Gemzar, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Gemzar clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Gemzar, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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