Gemcitabine Dosage

This medication is given as an infusion through the vein (intravenously or IV) and is given by a healthcare provider at an infusion center.

Your healthcare team will determine your gemcitabine dose and treatment schedule based on the type of cancer that’s getting treated. Your dose will be calculated based on your body surface area (BSA), which takes into account your weight and height.

• Pancreatic cancer

  • Weeks 1 to 8: The typical dose is 1,000 mg/m² of BSA given IV once a week for the first 7 weeks, and then a one-week break.
  • Week 8 and beyond: The typical dose is 1,000 mg/m² given IV on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day treatment cycle.

• Non-small cell lung cancer

  • For 28-day treatment cycles: The typical dose is 1,000 mg/m² given IV on days 1, 8, and 15 of each treatment cycle.
  • For 21-day treatment cycles: The typical dose is 1,250 mg/m² of BSA given IV on days 1 and 8 of each treatment cycle.

• Ovarian cancer: The typical dose is 1,000 mg/m² of BSA given IV on day 1 and 8 of each 21-day treatment cycle.

• Breast cancer: The typical dose is 1,250 mg/m² of BSA given IV on day 1 and 8 of each 21-day treatment cycle.

Note: This list only includes recommended dosages from the manufacturer for the FDA-approved uses of gemcitabine. Your provider might include this medication as part of your treatment plan for a cancer that’s not listed here. Your provider might also use a different dosing schedule from what’s listed here. These situations are considered off-label uses of gemcitabine.