Anthropometric Measurements as Predictors of Low Birth Weight Among Tanzanian Neonates: A Hospital-Based Study
November 7, 2025
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Brand Name :
Citafine, Cytogem, Infugem, Gemzar, Gempower
Synonyms :
gemcitabin, gemcitabina, gemcitabine, gemcitabinum
Class :
Class: Antineoplastic agents, antimetabolites 
Brand Name :
Citafine, Cytogem, Infugem, Gemzar, Gempower
Synonyms :
gemcitabin, gemcitabina, gemcitabine, gemcitabinum
Class :
Class: Antineoplastic agents, antimetabolites 
Dosage Forms & Strengths:Â Â
Solution for injection
50 mg/ml
Indicated for pancreatic cancer as single agent
1000 mg/m2 intravenously once a week for 3 weeks in a 28-day cycle
It can also be used if combined with paclitaxel, erlotinib, capecitabine)
Indicated for non-small lung cancer in combination with cisplatin
1000 mg/m² intravenously for 30 minutes on 1st, 8th and 15th day of 28-day cycle
1250 mg/m² intravenously for 30 minutes on 1st and 8th day of a 21-days cycle
Administer 100 mg/m² cisplatin intravenously after giving gemcitabine on day 1
Indicated combined with paclitaxel for 1st line treatment of metastatic breast cancer that occurs after the anthracycline-containing adjuvant chemotherapy failure 1250 mg/m² intravenously for 30 minutes on 1st and 8th day of every 21-days cycle It can also be given with 175 mg/m² paclitaxel on 1st day as a 3 hourly infusion prior to gemcitabine
Indicated combined with carboplatin to treat advanced ovarian cancer that relapsed 6 months later the completion of platinum-based therapy
1000 mg/m² intravenously for 30 minutes on 1st and 8th day of a 21-day cycle
It should be given with carboplatin when AUC is 4 on 1st day later gemcitabine
No dose indicated; safety & efficacy not reported in children and infants
Refer to the adult dosing
the effect of the live adenovirus vaccine is decreased by gemcitabine due to antagonistic activity between the two
when taken in combination, gemcitabine and axicabtagene increase the effect of one another due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
when taken in combination, gemcitabine and brexucabtagene increase the effect of one another due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
the effect of gemcitabine is increased by cedazuridine by reducing the metabolism
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
the toxicity of gemcitabine is increased by palifermin
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
either of the drug in combination increases the effect of the other due to immunosuppression/risk of infection
when used in combination, both the drugs increase the toxic levels of one another through synergistic activity
the unspecific interaction mechanism of gemcitabine increases the efficacy of antithrombin III
the unspecific interaction mechanism of gemcitabine increases the efficacy of argatroban
when used in combination, both the drugs increase immunosuppression/risk of infection
when used in combination, both the drugs increase immunosuppression/risk of infection
gemcitabine, by unspecific interaction mechanism, increases the effect of dalteparin
the effect of the dengue vaccine is decreased by gemcitabine through immunosuppression/risk of infection
when used in combination, both the drugs decrease the level of serum potassium
gemcitabine, by the unspecific reactions, increases the effect of enoxaparin
when used in combination, both the drugs increase immunosuppression/risk of infection
gemcitabine, by the unspecific reactions, increases the effect of fondaparinux
gemcitabine, by the unspecific reactions, increases the effect of heparin
the effect of the influenza A vaccine is decreased by gemcitabine via pharmacodynamic antagonism
influenza virus vaccine (h n ) adjuvanted
the effect of the influenza virus vaccine is decreased by fluorouracil via pharmacodynamic antagonism
the effect of the meningococcal vaccine is decreased by fluorouracil via pharmacodynamic antagonism
when used in combination, both the drugs increase immunosuppression/risk of infection
when used in combination, both the drugs increase the levels of one another through synergistic activity
when used in combination, both the drugs increase immunosuppression/risk of infection
the antagonistic activity between sipuleucel-T and gemcitabine decreases the effect of sipuleucel-T
when used in combination, both the drugs increase immunosuppression/risk of infection
when used in combination, both the drugs increase immunosuppression/risk of infection
gemcitabine, by an unspecific mechanism of interaction, increases the effect of warfarin
there is an increased risk of immune-mediated nephritis if used in combination with toripalimab
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects  
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with zinc, resulting in an enhanced serum level
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with zinc, resulting in an enhanced serum level
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with zinc, resulting in an enhanced serum level
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with zinc, resulting in an enhanced serum level
it may diminish the excretion rate when combined with zinc, resulting in an enhanced serum level
the effect of gemcitabine is increased due to synergism between maitake and gemcitabine
the level of taurine is decreased by gemcitabine via an unspecific mechanism of interaction
the effect of gemcitabine is increased due to synergism between vitamin A and gemcitabine
the impact of gemcitabine is increased due to synergism between vitamin E and gemcitabine
Actions and Spectrum:Â
Actions:Â
The actions of gemcitabine involve inhibiting DNA synthesis and promoting apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer cells. Specifically, gemcitabine is incorporated into the DNA of cancer cells during the S-phase of the cell cycle, where it inhibits the activity of DNA polymerase, an enzyme that is essential for DNA replication. This leads to the accumulation of damaged DNA in cancer cells, which triggers apoptosis and ultimately cell death.Â
Spectrum:Â
The spectrum of gemcitabine includes its use as a single agent or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to treat a variety of cancers. It is most used to treat pancreatic cancer, where it has been shown to improve survival and quality of life in patients. gemcitabine is also used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer.Â
Adverse drug reactionsÂ
Frequency definedÂ
>10% (not treated)Â
N/VÂ Â
Anemia Â
Elev LFTs Â
Neutropenia Â
Leukopenia Â
Pain Â
Proteinuria Â
Fever Â
Hematuria Â
Rash Â
Thrombocytopenia Â
Dyspnea Â
Constipation Â
Diarrhea Â
Flu-like syndrome Â
Hemorrhage Â
BUN increased Â
Infection Â
Alopecia Â
Edema Â
Elev bilirubin Â
1% to 10%   Â
Paresthesia Â
Creatinine increasedÂ
Inj site reactionsÂ
Bronchospasm
Contraindication/Caution:Â
Pregnancy Â
The animal study reports show gemcitabine is not suitable for the ingrowing fetus; hence is not advised to be administered during pregnancy.Â
Breastfeeding warnings:   Â
The excretion of a drug into the breastmilk is unknownÂ
Due to the potential adverse drug reactions reported, gemcitabine is not recommended for lactating females during treatment.Â
Pregnancy Categories:     Â
Â
Pharmacology:Â
gemcitabine works by interfering with the synthesis of DNA and RNA, which prevents the cancer cells from dividing and growing. Â
Pharmacodynamics:Â
Pharmacokinetics:Â Â
AbsorptionÂ
gemcitabine is administered intravenously, and it rapidly enters the bloodstream. The drug has a short half-life of approximately 30 minutes, and it reaches its maximum concentration within 5 to 15 minutes after the end of the infusion.Â
DistributionÂ
gemcitabine has a small volume of distribution, indicating that it is mainly distributed in the plasma and extracellular fluids. gemcitabine has low protein binding, and it freely circulates in the bloodstream.Â
MetabolismÂ
gemcitabine is rapidly metabolized in the body. Once inside the cell, gemcitabine is phosphorylated by nucleoside kinases into its active metabolite, gemcitabine diphosphate. gemcitabine diphosphate is further phosphorylated into gemcitabine triphosphate, which is the active form of the drug.Â
Elimination/ExcretionÂ
gemcitabine is primarily eliminated through the kidneys. Approximately 90% of the administered dose is eliminated within 24 hours, and most of the drug is excreted in the urine. The pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine may be affected by renal impairment, and dose adjustments may be necessary in patients with reduced kidney function.Â
Administration:Â
gemcitabine is a prescription drug that is usually administered in a hospital or clinic setting by a healthcare professional. It is given intravenously (IV), which means it is injected into a vein using a needle or catheter.Â
The dosage and administration of gemcitabine may vary depending on the type and stage of cancer being treated, as well as the patient’s age, weight, overall health, and other factors. The drug is usually administered once a week or every two weeks, and the duration of treatment may vary from a few weeks to several months.Â
Patient information leafletÂ
Generic Name: gemcitabineÂ
Pronounced: jem-SYE-ta-beenÂ
Why do we use gemcitabine?Â
gemcitabine is used in the treatment of other conditions, including:Â
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