Citabol Special Precautions

Prolongation of the infusion time and increased dosing frequency have been shown to increase toxicity.
Haematological toxicity: Gemcitabine can suppress bone marrow function as manifested by leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and anaemia.
Patients receiving gemcitabine should be monitored prior to each dose for platelet, leucocyte and granulocyte counts. Suspension or modification of therapy should be considered when drug-induced bone marrow depression is detected.
However, myelosuppression is short-lived and usually does not result in dose reduction and rarely in discontinuation. Peripheral blood counts may continue to deteriorate after gemcitabine administration has been stopped. In patients with impaired bone marrow function, the treatment should be started with caution. As with other cytotoxic treatments, the risk of cumulative bone-marrow suppression must be considered when gemcitabine treatment is given together with other chemotherapy.
Hepatic and renal impairment: Gemcitabine should be used with caution in patients with hepatic or renal function impairment as there is insufficient information from clinical studies to allow clear dose recommendation for this patient population. Administration of gemcitabine in patients with concurrent liver metastases or a pre-existing medical history of hepatitis, alcoholism or liver cirrhosis may lead to exacerbation of the underlying hepatic impairment. Laboratory evaluation of renal and hepatic function (including virological tests) should be performed periodically.
Concomitant radiotherapy: Concomitant radiotherapy (given together or ≤7 days apart).
Live vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccine and other live attenuated vaccines are not recommended in patients treated with gemcitabine.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome: Reports of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) with potentially severe consequences have been reported in patients receiving gemcitabine as single agent or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents.
Acute hypertension and seizure activity were reported in most gemcitabine patients experiencing PRES but other symptoms such as headache, lethargy, confusion and blindness could also be present. Diagnosis is optimally confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PRES was typically reversible with appropriate supportive measures. Gemcitabine should be permanently discontinued and supportive measures implemented including blood pressure control and anti-seizure therapy, if PRES develops during therapy.
Cardiovascular: Due to the risk of cardiac and/or vascular disorders with gemcitabine, particular caution must be exercised with patients presenting a history of cardiovascular events.
Capillary leak syndrome: Capillary leak syndrome has been reported in patients receiving gemcitabine as single agent or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. The condition is usually treatable if recognised early and managed appropriately but fatal cases have been reported. The condition involves systemic capillary hyper permeability during which fluid and proteins from the intravascular space leak into the interstitium. Gemcitabine should be discontinued and supportive measures implemented if capillary leak syndrome develops during therapy. Capillary leak syndrome can occur in later cycles and has been associated in the literature with adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Pulmonary: Pulmonary effects, sometimes severe (such as pulmonary oedema, interstitial pneumonitis or adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)) have been reported in association with gemcitabine therapy. If such effects develop, consideration should be made to discontinuing gemcitabine therapy. Early use of supportive care measure may help ameliorate the condition.
Renal: Haemolytic uraemic syndrome: Gemcitabine should be discontinued at the first signs of any evidence of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, such as rapidly falling haemoglobin with concomitant thrombocytopenia, elevation of serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen or LDH. Renal failure may not be reversible with discontinuation of therapy and dialysis may be required.
Fertility: A men being treated with gemcitabine are advised not to father a child during and up to 6 months after treatment and to seek further advice regarding cryoconservation of sperm prior to treatment because of the possibility of infertility due to therapy with gemcitabine.
Sodium: Gemcitabine powder for solution for infusion 200mg contains 3.5mg (<1 mmol) sodium per vial. This should be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet. Gemcitabine powder for solution for infusion 1000mg contains 17.5mg (<1 mmol) sodium per vial. This should be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, gemcitabine has been reported to cause mild to moderate somnolence, especially in combination with alcohol consumption. Patients should be cautioned against driving or operating machinery until it is established that they do not become somnolent.