Gemcitabine (for Bladder Cancer)
Gemcitabine is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor (chemotherapy) that kills cancer cells by blocking their ability to replicate DNA. In bladder cancer, it can be given as a localized wash inside the bladder (intravesical therapy) to reduce the risk of recurrence in early-stage cancers, or systematically via IV infusion for advanced disease.
Dosage by Body Weight
Dosages must be individualized based on clinical response, toxicity, and Body Surface Area (BSA). For intravesical therapy, a common regimen is 1000 mg to 2000 mg dissolved in saline, instilled into the bladder and held for 1 to 2 hours, administered weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. For IV chemotherapy, the standard dose is typically 1000 mg/m² given on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle.
- Body Weight
- Below 5 kg
- Dose
- Not recommended / Not routine
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Bladder cancer is extremely rare in this age/weight group. Chemotherapy dosing must be calculated strictly by an oncologist using Body Surface Area (BSA) and pediatric oncology protocols.
- Body Weight
- 5-7 kg
- Dose
- Not recommended / Not routine
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Chemotherapy dosing is highly specialized, calculated using Body Surface Area (BSA), and is not routinely administered to pediatric patients for bladder cancer.
- Body Weight
- 8-10 kg
- Dose
- Not recommended / Not routine
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Chemotherapy dosing is highly specialized, calculated using Body Surface Area (BSA), and is not routinely administered to pediatric patients for bladder cancer.
- Body Weight
- 11-15 kg
- Dose
- Not recommended / Not routine
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Chemotherapy dosing is highly specialized, calculated using Body Surface Area (BSA), and is not routinely administered to pediatric patients for bladder cancer.
- Body Weight
- 16-20 kg
- Dose
- Not recommended / Not routine
- Frequency
- N/A
- Tracking Notes
- Chemotherapy dosing is highly specialized, calculated using Body Surface Area (BSA), and is not routinely administered to pediatric patients for bladder cancer.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | Not recommended / Not routine | N/A | Bladder cancer is extremely rare in this age/weight group. Chemotherapy dosing must be calculated strictly by an oncologist using Body Surface Area (BSA) and pediatric oncology protocols. |
| 5-7 kg | Not recommended / Not routine | N/A | Chemotherapy dosing is highly specialized, calculated using Body Surface Area (BSA), and is not routinely administered to pediatric patients for bladder cancer. |
| 8-10 kg | Not recommended / Not routine | N/A | Chemotherapy dosing is highly specialized, calculated using Body Surface Area (BSA), and is not routinely administered to pediatric patients for bladder cancer. |
| 11-15 kg | Not recommended / Not routine | N/A | Chemotherapy dosing is highly specialized, calculated using Body Surface Area (BSA), and is not routinely administered to pediatric patients for bladder cancer. |
| 16-20 kg | Not recommended / Not routine | N/A | Chemotherapy dosing is highly specialized, calculated using Body Surface Area (BSA), and is not routinely administered to pediatric patients for bladder cancer. |
Formulation
Purpose
Used for the treatment of bladder cancer. It is administered intravesically (directly into the bladder) for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, or intravenously in combination with cisplatin for advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.
Generic Name
Gemcitabine HydrochlorideBranded Drug Names
Gemcitabine (for Bladder Cancer) is listed as a generic drug name. Common branded medicines that may contain the same active ingredient include:
Scheduled Drug
Yes. This medicine should be supplied or used only according to applicable prescription and regulatory requirements.