GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION contains Gemcitabine which belongs to the group of medicines called Antimetabolites. GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION is used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (alone or combined with cisplatin), pancreatic cancer, breast cancer (with paclitaxel), ovarian cancer (with carboplatin) and bladder cancer (with cisplatin).
Cancer is a disease in which there is uncontrollable growth of some of the body’s cells that spread to other parts of the body. During GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION treatment, your doctor might ask you to take certain blood tests to check your blood cell count, kidney function or liver function.
Avoid drinking alcohol during GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION treatment as it can make you feel sleepy. Before receiving GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION, inform your doctor if you had or are going to have radiotherapy, have been vaccinated recently or if you have any liver, kidney or heart diseases.
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children and adolescents (under 18 years of age). Consult your doctor before receiving it.
The most common side effects of receiving GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION are vomiting, constipation, hair loss, poor appetite, headache, insomnia, cough, itching, sweating, etc. Contact your doctor if any of the symptoms or side effects bother you.
Used in the treatment of:
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION kills the dividing cancer cells by inhibition of their DNA (hereditary material) synthesis.
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse into a vein as an intravenous infusion. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and surface area and disease condition.
Stop receiving GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
Nausea:
Take regular sips of a cold drink. Have ginger or peppermint tea. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oily or spicy foods. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.
Vomiting:
Get adequate rest. Drink lots of fluids, especially water. Have small sips if you feel sick. Eat when you feel like it – no need to eat or avoid any specific foods. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.
Diarrhea:
Drink fluids such as water or fruit juices so that you are sufficiently hydrated. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.
Constipation:
Have plenty of fiber rich foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals and drink ample amount of water. Exercise more regularly. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.
Poor appetite:
Eat when you are hungry. Eat smaller meals more often than usual. Snack only when you're hungry. Eat a protein-rich or other healthy snack such as dried fruit and nuts. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.
Headache:
Drink plenty of water and get adequate rest. Try to be relaxed and stress free. Take medicine for headache after asking your doctor. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.
Skin rash:
Avoid hot showers to prevent further irritation of skin. Do not scratch the affected area. Use protective clothing when going outdoors. Regularly moisturize your skin. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Consult your doctor before receiving it.
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before receiving it.
Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel sleepy after receiving GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION.
Do not consume alcohol during the treatment with GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION as it can make you feel sleepy.
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION should be used with caution in patients who had or have any kidney diseases. Contact your doctor before receiving it.
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION should be used with caution in patients who had or have any liver diseases. Contact your doctor before receiving it.
Do not receive GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION if you are allergic to gemcitabine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION should be used with caution in patients who had or have any heart or vascular diseases. Contact your doctor before receiving it.
Before receiving GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION, inform your doctor if you:
Use in paediatrics:
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age) due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy. Consult your child’s doctor for advice.
Use in geriatrics:
No dose adjustment of GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION is required for elderly patients, however, consult your doctor before receiving it.
A. Drug - Drug interactions:
Before receiving GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are taking, have taken or might take any other medicine, including prescription, non-prescription or any herbal medicine.
Overdosage:
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION will be administered to you only by a doctor or a nurse in a hospital and so it is unlikely to receive an overdose. However, consult your doctor or nurse if you experience anything unusual.
Drug | : | Gemcitabine |
Pharmacological Category | : | Pyrimidine antagonists |
Therapeutic Indication | : | Cancer treatment |
Dosage Forms | : | Injection |
Can GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION cause hearing loss?
According to some studies, GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION is ototoxic, which means it can cause hearing or balance problems. Consult your doctor if you experience any problems with hearing during this treatment.
How long do I need to take GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION?
You usually have GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION as a course of several cycles of treatment. This means that you receive the medicine and then rest to allow your body to recover. Usually, a cycle of GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION is over 3 to 4 weeks (21 to 28 days), but your doctor will determine the duration of treatment according to your condition.
Is it safe to have a baby during treatment with GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION?
For women, GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION is not recommended for use if you are pregnant or planning for a baby. Men are advised not to father a child during and up to 6 months after treatment with GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION. You may want to seek counselling on sperm storage before starting your treatment. Consult your doctor for advice.
Can I receive GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION if I got recently vaccinated?
Before receiving GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION, inform your doctor if you recently got vaccinated as it can affect the number of blood cells that are tested during this treatment. Consult your doctor for advice.
Can I drive a car during treatment with GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION?
GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION may make you feel sleepy, especially if you have consumed any alcohol. Do not drive a car until you are sure that this treatment has not made you feel sleepy. Consult your doctor if you feel any side effect during treatment with GEMWEL 1GM INJECTION that may stop you from driving or using machines.
1. KD. Tripathi. Chemotherapy of Neoplastic Diseases. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. Eighth edition. 2019. Page – 924.
2. Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. Gemcitabine Alone or in Combination With Other Chemotherapy Drugs in Treating Patients With Metastatic Cancer of the Pancreas. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine. ClinicalTrials.gov. [Revised in July 2016] [Accessed on 8th November 2022] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00012220
3. El Karak F, Flechon A. Gemcitabine in bladder cancer. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. Pubmed.gov. December 2007. [Accessed on 8th November 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18035967/
4. Accord Healthcare Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in November 2019] [Accessed on 8th November 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2490.pdf
5. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe BV. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in December 2018] [Accessed on 8th November 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7298.pdf
6. Pfizer Ltd. Gemcitabine. [Revised in June 2019] [Accessed on 8th November 2022] https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?format=PDF&id=4464
Written By Dr. Jeenal Rajani, Pharm.D.
Last updated on 18 Nov 2022 | 12:55 PM(IST)
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