Gemtero RTU 1gm Injection

About

Gemcitabine is a pyrimidine nucleoside analog antimetabolite, widely employed in the chemotherapy of various solid tumors due to its potent cytotoxic effects. Its mechanism of action is multifaceted, primarily targeting DNA synthesis and repair pathways, ultimately leading to cancer cell death. Upon cellular uptake, gemcitabine is rapidly phosphorylated by deoxycytidine kinase to its active metabolites, gemcitabine diphosphate (dFdCDP) and gemcitabine triphosphate (dFdCTP). The diphosphate form inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, an enzyme crucial for synthesizing deoxynucleotides required for DNA replication. Concurrently, the triphosphate form is incorporated into DNA strands, causing chain termination and inhibiting DNA polymerase, thereby preventing further DNA elongation. This dual inhibitory action effectively disrupts DNA synthesis and repair, making gemcitabine particularly effective against rapidly proliferating cancer cells across a spectrum of malignancies, including pancreatic, lung, breast, and ovarian cancers.

Uses

• Treatment of pancreatic cancer.
• Management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
• Treatment of breast cancer.
• Management of ovarian cancer.

Directions For Use

This injection is administered intravenously by a healthcare professional, typically over 30 minutes, as part of a chemotherapy regimen.

Benefits

• Effective against a broad range of solid tumors.
• Can be used as a single agent or in combination.
• Improves survival and quality of life in pancreatic cancer.
• Well-tolerated compared to some other chemotherapies.
• Part of standard treatment protocols for several cancers.
• Offers disease control and symptom palliation.

Side Effects

• Myelosuppression (low blood counts)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Flu-like symptoms
• Rash
• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Edema (swelling)
• Liver enzyme elevation
• Proteinuria (protein in urine)
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)

Safety Measures

• Alcohol - Avoid or limit alcohol consumption as it may exacerbate side effects like nausea, fatigue, and liver strain.
• Pregnancy - Gemcitabine is contraindicated in pregnancy due to its genotoxic and teratogenic potential. Effective contraception is required during treatment and for a period after.
• Breastfeeding - Breastfeeding is contraindicated during gemcitabine treatment as the drug is likely excreted in human milk and could cause serious adverse reactions in the infant.
• Liver - Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. Liver function tests should be monitored regularly, and dose adjustments may be necessary.
• Kidney - Use with caution in patients with severe renal impairment. Dose adjustments may be necessary based on kidney function.
• Lung - Rare but serious pulmonary toxicity, including interstitial pneumonitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), has been reported. Monitor for new or worsening respiratory symptoms.

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