Gemcitabine (Intravenous Route)

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Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Bleeding gums
• Blood in urine or stools
• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• Chest pain
• Cloudy urine
• Coughing up blood
• Cough or hoarseness
• Diarrhea
• Difficult or labored breathing
• Difficulty in moving
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Dizziness
• Fever or chills
• General feeling of discomfort or illness
• Headache
• Increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• Joint pain
• Lack or loss of strength
• Loss of appetite
• Lower back or side pain
• Muscle aching or cramping
• Muscle pains or stiffness
• Nausea
• Nosebleeds
• Painful or difficult urination
• Pale skin
• Paralysis
• Pinpoint red spots on skin
• Prolonged bleeding from cuts
• Red or black, tarry stools
• Red or dark brown urine
• Runny nose
• Shivering
• Shortness of breath
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
• Sore throat
• Sweating
• Swelling of hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• Swollen glands
• Swollen joints
• Tightness in chest
• Troubled breathing with exertion
• Trouble sleeping
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Wheezing

• Blurred vision
• Chest discomfort
• Fainting
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• Headache (sudden and severe)
• Inability to speak
• Nervousness
• Noisy breathing
• Pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back or neck
• Pounding in the ears
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Temporary blindness
• Weakness in arm and/or leg on one side of the body (sudden and severe)

• Confusion
• Lightheadedness
• Rapid, shallow breathing

• Hives
• Itching
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue
• Skin rash

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• Hair loss
• Pain
• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• Swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• Thinning of hair

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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