The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea and vomiting (69%)
- Anemia (low red blood cell count; 63%)
- Low white blood cell count (63%)
- Signs of stress to the liver on blood tests (up to 68%)
- Signs of kidney injury (protein or blood in the urine; up to 45%)
- Fever (41%)
- Rash (30%)
- Low platelet count (24%)
- Feeling short of breath (23%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Hair loss
Note: Side effects were reported by people with different cancers who took gemcitabine by itself. Side effects might differ depending on your cancer, the dosing schedule, and the other medications included in your treatment plan.
Gemcitabine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Low blood cell counts: fever, chills, feeling very tired, unusual bleeding or bruising
- Lung injury: cough, wheezing, trouble catching your breath
- Serious kidney injury: making little or no urine, dark urine, unusual bleeding or bruising
- Liver injury: pain in the right side of the stomach, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark or brown urine
- Capillary leak syndrome: rapid weight gain, swelling, trouble breathing, dizziness
- Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES): headache, feeling sluggish or confused, vision loss, seizure
Source: DailyMed
The following Gemcitabine side effects have also been reported
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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blood in the urine or stools
blurred vision
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
chills
cloudy urine
confusion
coughing up blood
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty in moving
difficulty in swallowing
dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
hoarseness
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
joint pain
lack or loss of strength
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
muscle ache, cramps, pain, or stiffness
nosebleeds
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
paralysis
pinpoint red spots on the skin
prolonged bleeding from cuts
rapid weight gain
red or black, tarry stools
red or dark brown urine
shivering
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sweating
swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
swollen glands
swollen joints
tightness in the chest
trouble sleeping
troubled breathing with exertion
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
vomiting
Less common
Chest discomfort
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
headache (sudden and severe)
inability to speak
nervousness
noisy breathing
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pounding in the ears
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
seizures
slurred speech
temporary blindness
weakness in the arm or leg or on one side of the body (sudden and severe)
Rare
Rapid, shallow breathing
Incidence not known
Blue lips and fingernails
cloudy urine
coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
dark urine
decrease or increase in the amount of urine
decreased urine output
difficult, fast, noisy breathing
dilated neck veins
extreme tiredness or weakness
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
increased sweating
irregular breathing
itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin
light-colored stools
sores on the skin, especially on the thighs, breasts, penis, or buttocks
sores, welts, or blisters
stomach pain, continuing
sudden weakness in the arms or legs
sudden, severe chest pain
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
yellow eyes or skin
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:
More common
Difficulty having a bowel movement
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
thinning of hair
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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