how long do you have gemzar treatment

Precautions

You usually have gemcitabine as a course of several cycles of treatment. This means that you have the drug and then a rest to allow your body to recover. Usually a cycle of gemcitabine is over 3 to 4 weeks (21 to 28 days). You usually have gemcitabine once a week for 2 or 3 weeks and then a week with no treatment. You have gemcitabine on its own or in combination with other …

How much Gemzar will I need to take?

How long does treatment take? A cycle (dose) of gemcitabine, with paclitaxel, lasts 21 days. Gemcitabine is given on days one and eight of the cycle. The time between each cycle of treatment gives your body time to recover. The total number of cycles will depend on your particular situation. Your treatment team will discuss this with you. 5.

What should I do if Gemzar gets on my Skin?

Gemzar is given by infusion through a vein (intravenously, by IV). There is no pill form of Gemzar. The amount of Gemzar you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer you have. Your doctor will determine your exact dosage and schedule.

What should I know about Gemzar after radiation treatment?

Jul 15, 2021 · Gemcitabine is given by intravenous (IV, into a vein) infusion, over a period of 30 minutes. The dosage and schedule is determined by the person's size and type of cancer. It can be given alone or with other medications or therapies, such as radiation. When given at the same time as radiation (depending on the dose), there can be an increased ...

When should I Call my doctor if I'm taking Gemzar?

Each cycle may be repeated up to six times, depending upon the stage of the disease and if its given with or without radiation. Duration of therapy may last up to six months, depending upon response, tolerability, and number of cycles prescribed. Click here for the common gemcitabine (Gemzar®) starting doses.

Can Gemzar cure cancer?

How effective is Gemzar?

How long is a standard course of chemotherapy?

How long is gemcitabine administered?

Do you lose your hair on Gemzar?

How long do side effects of Gemzar last?

How many days after chemo do you feel better?

How many rounds of chemotherapy can a person have?

What is the fastest way to recover from chemotherapy?

When was Gemzar approved?

What is Gemzar made from?

How often is Gemzar given?

What to do if you miss Gemzar?

Contact your doctor if you miss a miss an appointment to receive your Gemzar infusion.

Where is Gemzar injected?

Gemzar is injected into a vein as an IV infusion. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

What is Gemzar used for?

Gemzar is used to treat cancers of the pancreas, lung, ovary, and breast.

How to get rid of bleeding from Gemcitabine?

If any Gemzar injection accidentally gets on your skin, wash the area thoroughly with soap and warm water. Gemcitabine can increase your risk of bleeding or infection by changing the way your immune system works. You will need frequent medical tests.

What happens if you take gemcitabine after radiation?

If you receive gemcitabine during or after radiation treatment, tell your doctor right away if you have severe skin redness, swelling, oozing, or peeling.

What happens if you are allergic to Gemzar?

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Gemzar: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

How long after a syringe can you wash your hands?

For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves.

How many days does gemcitabine take?

Gemcitabine is given on days one and eight of the cycle. The time between each cycle of treatment gives your body time to recover. The total number of cycles will depend on your particular situation. Your treatment team will discuss this with you. 5.

How long does it take for Gemcitabine to work?

Gemcitabine is given intravenously (into a vein). This will usually be as an infusion (drip) into the hand or arm and takes about 30 minutes.

What to expect before starting chemotherapy?

Before starting your treatment most hospitals will arrange a chemotherapy information session. At this appointment a nurse will discuss how and when your chemotherapy will be given and how side effects can be managed.

Does Gemcitabine affect blood cells?

Gemcitabine can temporarily affect the number of blood cells in the body.

Does gemcitabine cause side effects?

Side effects of gemcitabine. Like any treatment, gemcitabine can cause side effects. Everyone reacts differently to drugs and some people have more side effects than others. These side effects can usually be managed and those described here will not affect everyone.

How is Gemzar given?

How Gemzar Is Given: Gemzar is given by infusion through a vein (intra venously, by IV). There is no pill form of Gemzar. The amount of Gemzar you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer you have. Your doctor will determine your exact dosage ...

What happens if you get Gemzar?

You may experience drowsiness or dizziness; avoid driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until your response to Gemzar is known.

What is Gemzar used for?

What Gemzar Is Used For: Pancreas cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer. Bladder cancer. Soft-tissue sarcoma. Metastatic breast cancer. Ovarian cancer. Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians sometimes elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it might be helpful.

What to do if you have unusual symptoms?

Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.

Does Gemzar go away?

Most people do not experience all of the Gemzar side effects listed. Gemzar side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset, duration and severity. Gemzar side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete. There are many options to help minimize or prevent Gemzar side effects.

Does Gemzar have any side effects?

There is no relationship between the presence or severity of Gemzar side effects and the effectiveness of Gemzar. The following Gemzar side effects are common (occurring in more than 30%) for patients taking Gemzar: Flu-like symptoms (muscle pain, fever, headache, chills, fatigue)

Is Gemzar dangerous for pregnant women?

Pregnancy category D (Gemzar may be hazardous to the fetus. Women who are pregnant or become pregnant must be advised of the potential hazard to the fetus). For both men and women: Do not conceive a child (get pregnant) while taking Gemzar. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, are recommended.

How long does it take to take gemcitabine?

How to Take Gemcitabine. Gemcitabine is given by intravenous (IV, into a vein) infusion, over a period of 30 minutes. The dosage and schedule is determined by the person's size and type of cancer. It can be given alone or with other medications or therapies, such as radiation.

How long does it take for gemcitabine to toxicity?

Patients may experience gemcitabine toxicity if the medication is infused for more than 60 minutes or if the medication is given more than once a week. Side effects of toxicity can include severe flu-like symptoms, low blood pressure, and low blood counts. You will be monitored closely for toxicity.

How long should you wait between radiation and gemcitabine?

When given at the same time as radiation (depending on the dose), there can be an increased number of side effects experienced. At least one week should pass in between initiation or completion of radiation therapy and a full gemcitabine dose. Please make sure all your healthcare providers are aware of your treatment history with gemcitabine and/or radiation.

Does Gemcitabine slow down cell growth?

About: Gemcitabine (Gemzar®) Antimetabolites interfere with DNA production. This stops cell growth and division, resulting in the slowing or stopping of cancer growth. Since cancer cells, in general, divide faster and with less error-correcting than healthy cells, cancer cells are more sensitive to this damage.

How often is gemcitabine given?

On occasion, it may be given in the hospital if someone is too sick. Gemcitabine is repeated every 28 days. This is known as one Cycle.

How long does it take to infuse gemcitabine?

Gemcitabine intravenous (I.V.) infusion over 30 minutes on Days 1, 8, and 15. NOTE: if gemcitabine is infused over longer than 30 minutes, it can cause increased toxicity and side effects.

What is Gemcitabine used for?

Gemcitabine (Gemzar®) is a Chemotherapy Regimen for Pancreatic Cancer. How does gemcitabine (Gemzar®) work? Gemcitabine is designed to target and kill cancer cells by inserting itself into the DNA of a pancreatic cancer cell, but not allowing cancer DNA to replicate.

What percentage of side effects does gemcitabine have?

In clinical studies, the most commonly reported gemcitabine (Gemzar®) side effects are shown here. Side effects sometimes have percentage ranges [example: 31 – 62% ] because they differed between clinical studies:

How many times can you take gemcitabine?

Each cycle may be repeated up to six times, depending upon the stage of the disease and if its given with or without radiation. Duration of therapy may last up to six months, depending upon response, tolerability, and number of cycles prescribed. Click here for the common gemcitabine (Gemzar®) starting doses.

Does gemcitabine cause hair loss?

NOTE: Hair loss from gemcitabine (Gemzar) is almost always mild, not obvious from a distance, and seen only on close inspection. A different hair style can help cover some hair loss, and a wig or hair piece is usually not required. NO patient in the clinical study reported above experienced total hair loss from gemcitabine.

Can you get Gemcitabine if you are uninsured?

If you are uninsured, check with the manufacturer to determine if you are eligible to receive medication at no cost . The clinic providing treatment will likely pre-authorize medications and immune therapies such as Gemcitabine (Gemzar®) and are the best source to help you understand drug cost.

What is Gemzar medicine?

Gemzar or gemcitabine is a cancer medicine that effectively restricts the development and spreading of cancer cells in your body.

When to tell your doctor about gemcitabine?

If you take gemzar or gemcitabine after or in the process of radiation treatment, inform your doctor immediately when you have serious skin peeling, redness, swelling or oozing.

How is gemcitabine injected?

Gemzar or gemcitabine is injected in a vein via an IV. Your doctor will give the injection. Gemzar or gemcitabine can reduce blood cells that assist your body in battling infections and help in blood clotting. Your cancer treatment may be hindered depending on the outcome of these tests.

What are the side effects of gemcitabine?

Common side effects of gemzar or gemcitabine include: Advertisement. Unfamiliar bleeding, fever. Vomiting, nausea. Breathing problems. Urine tests or abnormal blood. Swelling of your feet or hands. Pink or red urine. Slight rash.

Does gemcitabine affect your kidneys?

Gemzar or gemcitabine can affect your lungs, kidneys or liver. Inform your doctor when you have yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pains, swelling, fast weight increase, serious short breath, minute or no urinating, wheezing or cough with soapy mucus. If you get gemzar or gemcitabine after or in the process of radiation treatment, ...

Does Gemzar help with a fever?

Gemzar or gemcitabine drug can reduce blood cells that assist your body battle infections helping blood clotting. You can bleed or acquire infections easily. Contact your doctor in case of unfamiliar bleeding, bruising or symptoms of infections such as chills, fever or body aches.

Can you breastfeed while on gemcitabine?

It is not yet confirmed whether gemzar or gemcitabine gets into breast milk or if it can harm your nursing child. Do not breastfeed while on gemzar or gemcitabine.

Does Gemzar cause side effects?

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention. Along with its needed effects, gemcitabine (the active ingredient contained in Gemzar) may cause some unwanted effects . Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any ...

Does Gemzar cause lung injury?

Different patterns of lung injury may be related to gemcitabine (the active ingredient contained in Gemzar) A rapid response following the administration of corticosteroids would mean the respiratory problem was probably due to a hypersensitivity reaction. [ Ref]

Does gemcitabine need medical attention?

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of gemcitabine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Is gemcitabine a single agent?

Out of the five reported cases of distal ischemic changes, four of those case related to combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and gemcitabine (the active ingredient contained in Gemzar) while one case was of gemcitabine as a single agent in first-line therapy. [ Ref]

How is gemcitabine given?

Gemcitabine is given by infusion through a vein (intravenously, by IV).

What to do if you have unusual symptoms?

Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.

What is chemocare.com?

Chemocare.com is designed to provide the latest information about chemotherapy to patients and their families, caregivers and friends. For information about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program visit www.4thangel.org

Can you get pregnant while taking Gemcitabine?

For both men and women: Do not conceive a child (get pregnant) while taking Gemcitabine. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, are recommended. Discuss with your doctor when you may safely become pregnant or conceive a child after therapy.

Is Gemcitabine a cytotoxic drug?

Gemcitabine is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug. Gemcitabine is classified as an antimetabolite. (For more detail, see "How Gemcitabine Works" below).