Gemcitabine Flynn 1000 mg powder for solution for infusion EFG

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Introduction

PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Gemcitabine FLYNN 1000 mg powder for solution for infusion EFG

Gemcitabine

Read the entire leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.

• Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you and should not be given to other people, even if they have the same symptoms, as it may harm them.
• If you consider any of the side effects you experience to be serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Leaflet contents:

1. What Gemcitabine FLYNN powder for solution for infusion is and what it is used for
2. Before you use Gemcitabine FLYNN powder for solution for infusion
3. How to use Gemcitabine FLYNN powder for solution for infusion
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Gemcitabine FLYNN powder for solution for infusion
6. Further information

1. What Gemcitabine Flynn powder for solution for infusion is and what it is used for

Gemcitabine Flynn is a medicine used to treat cancer and belongs to a group of medicines called "cytotoxic agents". These medicines destroy cells that are dividing, including cancer cells.

Gemcitabine Flynn may be given alone or in combination with other anticancer medicines, depending on the type of cancer.

Gemcitabine Flynn is used to treat the following types of cancer:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), alone or in combination with cisplatin
• Pancreatic cancer
• Breast cancer, in combination with paclitaxel
• Ovarian cancer, in combination with carboplatin
• Bladder cancer, in combination with cisplatin

2. Before using Gemcitabine Flynn powder for solution for infusion

Do not use Gemcitabine Flynn powder for solution for infusion

• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to gemcitabine or to any of the other components of Gemcitabine Flynn powder for solution for infusion.
• If you are breastfeeding, you must interrupt breastfeeding during treatment with Gemcitabine.

Take special care with Gemcitabine Flynn powder for solution for infusion

Before the first infusion, blood samples will be taken to assess whether your liver and kidney function are normal. Likewise, prior to each infusion, blood samples will be taken to evaluate whether you have sufficient red blood cells to receive gemcitabine. Your doctor may decide to adjust the dose or delay treatment depending on your general condition and if your blood cell counts are too low. Periodically, blood samples will be taken to assess the function of your kidneys and liver.

Inform your doctor if:

• You have or have previously had liver, heart, or vascular disease.
• You have recently received or are about to receive radiotherapy.
• You have recently been vaccinated.
• You experience difficulty breathing or feel very weak and pale (this may be a sign of kidney failure).

Men are advised not to father a child during treatment with gemcitabine and for 6 months after treatment ends. If you wish to father a child during treatment or within 6 months afterwards, consult your doctor or hospital pharmacist. You may request information about sperm preservation before starting your treatment.

Use of other medicines

Inform your doctor or hospital pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including vaccines and medicines obtained without a prescription.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or think you may become pregnant, inform your doctor. The use of gemcitabine during pregnancy should be avoided. Your doctor will discuss with you the potential risks of taking gemcitabine during pregnancy.

Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

You must interrupt breastfeeding during treatment with gemcitabine.

Driving and use of machines

Gemcitabine may cause drowsiness, especially if you have consumed alcohol. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you are certain that treatment with gemcitabine does not make you drowsy.

Important information about some of the components of Gemcitabine Flynn powder for solution for infusion

Gemcitabine Flynn powder for solution for infusion contains 17.5 mg (<1 mmol) of sodium in each 1,000 mg vial. Patients on a sodium-controlled diet should take this into account.

3. How to use Gemcitabina Flynn powder for solution for infusion

The usual dose of Gemcitabine is 1,000–1,250 mg per square meter of your body surface area. Your height and weight will be measured to calculate your body surface area. Your doctor will use this body surface area to calculate the correct dose for you. This dose may be adjusted or the treatment may be delayed depending on your general health and blood cell counts.

The frequency with which you receive your Gemcitabine infusion depends on the type of cancer being treated.

A hospital pharmacist or doctor will have reconstituted the Gemcitabina FLYNN powder for solution for infusion before administration.

Gemcitabine will always be administered to you by intravenous infusion into one of your veins. The infusion will last approximately 30 minutes.

If you have any further questions about the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible adverse effects

Like all medicines, Gemcitabine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone experiences them.

The frequencies of observed adverse effects are defined as follows:

• Very common: affects more than 1 in 10 patients treated
• Common: affects between 1 and 10 in every 100 patients treated
• Uncommon: affects between 1 and 10 in every 1,000 patients treated
• Rare: affects between 1 and 10 in every 10,000 patients treated
• Very rare: affects fewer than 1 in every 10,000 patients treated
• Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from available data

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following effects:

• Fever or infection (common): if you have a temperature of 38°C or higher, sweating, or other signs of infection (as you may have lower than normal white blood cell counts, which is very common).
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) (frequency not known).
• Pain, redness, swelling, or sores in the mouth (common).
• Allergic reactions: if you develop a rash (very common), itching (common), or fever (very common).
• Tiredness, feeling faint, becoming breathless easily, or looking pale (as you may have lower than normal hemoglobin levels, which is very common).
• Bleeding from gums, nose, or mouth, or any bleeding that does not stop, red or pink urine, unexpected bruising (as you may have lower than normal platelet counts, which is very common).
• Difficulty breathing (it is very common to experience mild difficulty breathing immediately after Gemcitabine infusion, which resolves quickly; however, more serious lung problems may occur uncommonly or rarely).

Adverse effects with Gemcitabine may include:

Very common adverse effects

• Low hemoglobin levels (anemia)
• Low white blood cell count
• Low platelet count
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Skin rash – allergic skin rash, often with itching
• Hair loss
• Liver problems: detected through abnormal blood test results
• Blood in the urine
• Abnormal urine tests: proteins in the urine
• Pseudoinfluenza syndrome including fever
• Edema (swelling of ankles, fingers, feet, face)

Common adverse effects

• Fever accompanied by low white blood cell count
• Anorexia (poor appetite)
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Drowsiness
• Cough
• Nasal congestion
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Pain, redness, swelling, or sores in the mouth
• Itching
• Sweating
• Muscle pain
• Back pain
• Fever
• Weakness
• Chills

Uncommon adverse effects

• Interstitial pneumonitis (hardening of the walls of the lung alveoli)
• Airway spasm (wheezing)
• Abnormal chest X-ray/scan (hardening of the lung walls)

Rare adverse effects

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
• Low blood pressure
• Skin peeling, ulceration, or blistering
• Reactions at the injection site

Very rare adverse effects

• Increased platelet count
• Anaphylactic reactions (severe hypersensitivity/allergic reaction)
• Skin peeling and severe blistering of the skin

Adverse effects with unknown frequency

• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Adult respiratory distress syndrome (severe lung inflammation causing respiratory failure)
• Delayed radiation-induced skin toxicity (a sunburn-like skin rash) that may occur in skin previously exposed to radiotherapy
• Fluid in the lungs
• Radiation-associated toxicity – hardening of the lung alveolar walls associated with radiotherapy
• Ischemic colitis (inflammation of the lining of the large intestine caused by reduced blood supply)
• Heart failure
• Kidney failure
• Gangrene of the fingers or toes
• Severe liver damage, including liver failure
• Cerebral infarction (stroke)

You may experience any of these symptoms and/or conditions. You should inform your doctor as soon as possible if you begin to experience any adverse effects.

If you are concerned about any adverse effect, consult your doctor.

If you consider any of the adverse effects you experience to be severe, or if you notice any adverse effects not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor or pharmacist.

5. Storage of Gemcitabine Flynn powder for solution for infusion

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not use Gemcitabine Flynn powder for solution for infusion after the expiry date (EXP) stated on the packaging.

Closed vial: store below 25°C.

Reconstituted solution: The product should be used immediately. When prepared according to instructions, the chemical and physical properties of reconstituted gemcitabine solutions have been shown to be stable for 24 hours when stored at 20–25°C. Further dilution may be performed by a healthcare professional. Reconstituted gemcitabine solutions must not be refrigerated, as crystallization may occur.

This medicinal product is for single use only. Any unused medicine and all materials that have come into contact with it must be disposed of in accordance with the hospital's standardized procedures for the disposal of cytotoxic medicinal products.

6. Information provided

What Gemcitabina FLYNN powder for solution for infusion contains

• The active substance is gemcitabine. Each vial contains 1,000 mg of gemcitabine (as gemcitabine hydrochloride).
• The other components are mannitol (E421), sodium acetate, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide.

Appearance of Gemcitabina FLYNN powder for solution for infusion and contents of the container

Gemcitabina FLYNN is a white or almost white powder or compacted powder for solution for infusion, packed in a vial. Each vial contains 1,000 mg of gemcitabine. Each pack of Gemcitabina FLYNN powder for solution for infusion contains 1 vial.

Marketing Authorization Holder:

Flynn Pharma Ltd
Alton House, 4 Herbert Street, Dublin 2
Ireland

Manufacturer responsible:

THYMOORGAN PHARMAZIE GMBH
Schiffgraben, 23 (Vienenburg)
Germany

This medicinal product is authorized in the European Economic Area member states under the following names:

This leaflet was approved in April 2010

___________________________________________________________________________

INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Gemcitabine FLYNN 1000 mg powder for solution for infusion

The following information is intended exclusively for medical or healthcare personnel:

Instructions for use, handling, and disposal

1. Use aseptic techniques during reconstitution and any subsequent dilution of gemcitabine for administration by intravenous infusion.

2. Calculate the dose and the number of vials of Gemcitabine required.

3. Reconstitute each 200 mg vial with 5 ml of sterile sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) injection solution, without preservatives, or each 1000 mg vial with 25 ml of sterile sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) injection solution, without preservatives. Shake to dissolve. The total volume after reconstitution is 5.26 ml (200 mg vial) or 26.3 ml (1000 mg vial), respectively. The resulting concentration of gemcitabine after this dilution is 38 mg/ml, taking into account the displacement volume of the lyophilized powder. This solution may be further diluted with sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%) injection solution, without preservatives. The reconstituted solution is a clear, colorless or pale yellow solution.

4. Prior to administration, medicinal products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and/or discoloration. If particles are observed, the product must not be administered.

5. Reconstituted gemcitabine solutions must not be refrigerated, as crystallization may occur. Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 24 hours at 20–25 °C. From a microbiological standpoint, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, the conditions and duration of storage prior to use are the responsibility of the user and must not exceed 24 hours at room temperature.

6. Gemcitabine solutions are for single use only. Any unused product or waste material must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations.

Precautions for preparation and administration

Standard safety measures for cytotoxic agents must be observed when preparing and disposing of the infusion solution. The solution should be handled in a safety cabinet, and protective clothing and gloves should be worn. If a safety cabinet is not available, protective equipment should be supplemented with a mask and eye protection.

If the solution comes into contact with the eyes, it may cause severe irritation. Immediately and thoroughly rinse the eyes with copious amounts of water. If irritation persists, consult a physician. If the solution is spilled onto the skin, wash thoroughly with copious amounts of water.

Disposal

Disposal of unused medication and of all materials that have come into contact with it must be carried out in accordance with the hospital's standardized procedures for the disposal of cytotoxic drugs.