Infugem (Gemcitabine) for Breast Cancer

Overview
Infugem is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with paclitaxel as a first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer. It is specifically used when previous anthracycline-containing adjuvant chemotherapy has failed or if anthracyclines are not recommended due to contraindications. Infugem is also known by its drug name, gemcitabine.

Infugem belongs to a class of drugs called nucleoside metabolic inhibitors. It works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, preventing their ability to divide and replicate. This helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer in the body.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Infugem is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion. For metastatic breast cancer, it is typically given over 30 minutes on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle. The exact duration of treatment and dosing schedule may vary based on an individual’s specific needs and response to therapy. The medication should be taken exactly as prescribed by a health care provider.

Side effects
Prescribing information states that common side effects of Infugem include nausea, vomiting, anemia (low red blood cell count), elevated liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), neutropenia (low white blood cell count), increased alkaline phosphatase, proteinuria (protein in urine), fever, hematuria (blood in urine), rash, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), shortness of breath, and swelling.

Rare but serious side effects may include severe myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression), pulmonary toxicity (lung damage), respiratory failure, hemolytic uremic syndrome (a condition involving red blood cell breakdown and kidney damage), severe liver damage, embryo-fetal toxicity (risk of harm to an unborn baby), capillary leak syndrome (leakage of fluid from blood vessels), and posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (a condition that affects the brain and can cause headaches, seizures, and vision changes). If taken during or within seven days after radiation therapy, Infugem may severely worsen the side effects of radiation, increasing the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening toxicity

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Infugem — Drugs.com