GEMCITABINE

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Accord Healthcare Inc.

Gemcitabine Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

70,539 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About GEMCITABINE

GEMCITABINE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Accord Healthcare Inc.. Based on analysis of 70,539 FDA adverse event reports, GEMCITABINE has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for GEMCITABINE include DISEASE PROGRESSION, THROMBOCYTOPENIA, OFF LABEL USE, NEUTROPENIA, DRUG INEFFECTIVE. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for GEMCITABINE.

AI Safety Analysis

Gemcitabine has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 70,539 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Accord Healthcare Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Disease Progression, Thrombocytopenia, Off Label Use. Of classified reports, 97.2% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Gemcitabine is associated with a high number of serious adverse events, particularly thrombocytopenia and neutropenia.

The drug has a wide range of reactions, including disease progression and various hematological issues. Significant reports of infections and sepsis highlight the need for careful monitoring.

Patients taking Gemcitabine should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Gemcitabine can cause severe hematological and infectious adverse events, and patients should be closely monitored for signs of these conditions. Drug interactions are not specifically highlighted in the data but should be considered in the context o This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Gemcitabine received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 97.2% serious event ratio across 37,410 classified reports. The score accounts for 70,539 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DISEASE PROGRESSION4,353 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA2,861 reports
OFF LABEL USE2,622 reports
NEUTROPENIA2,556 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE2,512 reports
ANAEMIA2,338 reports
MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PROGRESSION2,005 reports
NAUSEA1,936 reports
PYREXIA1,898 reports
FATIGUE1,610 reports
DIARRHOEA1,584 reports
VOMITING1,555 reports
DEATH1,447 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA1,333 reports
DYSPNOEA1,182 reports
ASTHENIA1,103 reports
PNEUMONIA1,036 reports
PANCYTOPENIA933 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL928 reports
LEUKOPENIA895 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN890 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION855 reports
SEPSIS854 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION806 reports
DECREASED APPETITE776 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED715 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY711 reports
RASH689 reports
PULMONARY EMBOLISM648 reports
THROMBOTIC MICROANGIOPATHY645 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION608 reports
DEHYDRATION595 reports
CONSTIPATION583 reports
NEOPLASM PROGRESSION582 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS542 reports
INFECTION533 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL515 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED511 reports
MYELOSUPPRESSION510 reports
PAIN499 reports
METASTASES TO LIVER494 reports
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS465 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED464 reports
HAEMATOTOXICITY461 reports
HYPERTENSION457 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED457 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED456 reports
MUCOSAL INFLAMMATION454 reports
COUGH452 reports
HYPOTENSION447 reports
ASCITES437 reports
NEUTROPHIL COUNT DECREASED436 reports
DISEASE RECURRENCE414 reports
THERAPY PARTIAL RESPONDER411 reports
PNEUMONITIS405 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE396 reports
DIZZINESS384 reports
RENAL FAILURE379 reports
TREATMENT FAILURE374 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE370 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK354 reports
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED353 reports
MALAISE352 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION351 reports
HEADACHE348 reports
INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE348 reports
CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME345 reports
CHILLS340 reports
BONE MARROW FAILURE338 reports
PRURITUS335 reports
CHOLANGITIS333 reports
METASTASES TO LUNG329 reports
ERYTHEMA328 reports
DIFFUSE LARGE B CELL LYMPHOMA326 reports
HYPONATRAEMIA326 reports
ALOPECIA324 reports
THERAPY NON RESPONDER320 reports
THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT INCOMPLETE310 reports
ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED309 reports
PALMAR PLANTAR ERYTHRODYSAESTHESIA SYNDROME308 reports
DIFFUSE LARGE B CELL LYMPHOMA RECURRENT299 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT297 reports
HYPOKALAEMIA293 reports
DRUG RESISTANCE291 reports
NEUROTOXICITY288 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE283 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL HAEMORRHAGE282 reports
METASTASES TO BONE277 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED276 reports
EPISTAXIS274 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE269 reports
CHEST PAIN268 reports
NEUTROPENIC SEPSIS268 reports
BLOOD LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE INCREASED266 reports
BACK PAIN265 reports
PANCREATIC CARCINOMA METASTATIC264 reports
CYTOPENIA261 reports
STOMATITIS261 reports
COLITIS259 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION254 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Thrombocytopenia and neutropenia are the most frequently reported hematological adverse events.
  • Disease progression and malignancy-related reactions are common, indicating potential efficacy but also risks.
  • Infections and sepsis are significant safety signals, especially in the context of immunosuppression.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Male: 15,603, Female: 15,079, Unknown: 182. The most frequently reported age groups are age 67 (937 reports), age 70 (912 reports), age 68 (901 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 37,410 classified reports for GEMCITABINE:

  • Serious: 36,354 reports (97.2%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 1,056 reports (2.8%)
Serious 97.2%Non-Serious 2.8%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Male15,603 (50.6%)
Female15,079 (48.9%)
Unknown182 (0.6%)

Reports by Age

Age 67937 reports
Age 70912 reports
Age 68901 reports
Age 69851 reports
Age 65850 reports
Age 66844 reports
Age 64833 reports
Age 72770 reports
Age 71742 reports
Age 62735 reports
Age 60734 reports
Age 63728 reports
Age 73679 reports
Age 58672 reports
Age 74670 reports
Age 56652 reports
Age 59642 reports
Age 75640 reports
Age 61639 reports
Age 55614 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Gemcitabine can cause severe hematological and infectious adverse events, and patients should be closely monitored for signs of these conditions. Drug interactions are not specifically highlighted in the data but should be considered in the context o

What You Should Know

If you are taking Gemcitabine, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include disease progression, thrombocytopenia, off label use, neutropenia, drug ineffective. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Regular blood tests are essential to monitor for hematological side effects. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of gemcitabine, and updates are regularly issued based on new data. Healthcare providers should stay informed about the latest safety information and guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Gemcitabine?

The FDA has received approximately 70,539 adverse event reports associated with Gemcitabine. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Gemcitabine?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Gemcitabine include Disease Progression, Thrombocytopenia, Off Label Use, Neutropenia, Drug Ineffective. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Disease Progression (4,353 reports), Thrombocytopenia (2,861 reports), Off Label Use (2,622 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Gemcitabine.

What percentage of Gemcitabine adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 37,410 classified reports, 36,354 (97.2%) were classified as serious and 1,056 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Gemcitabine (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Gemcitabine break down by patient sex as follows: Male: 15,603, Female: 15,079, Unknown: 182. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Gemcitabine?

The most frequently reported age groups for Gemcitabine adverse events are: age 67: 937 reports, age 70: 912 reports, age 68: 901 reports, age 69: 851 reports, age 65: 850 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Gemcitabine?

The primary manufacturer associated with Gemcitabine adverse event reports is Accord Healthcare Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Gemcitabine?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Gemcitabine include: Anaemia, Malignant Neoplasm Progression, Nausea, Pyrexia, Fatigue. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Gemcitabine?

You can report adverse events from Gemcitabine to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Gemcitabine's safety score and what does it mean?

Gemcitabine has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Gemcitabine is associated with a high number of serious adverse events, particularly thrombocytopenia and neutropenia.

What are the key safety signals for Gemcitabine?

Key safety signals identified in Gemcitabine's adverse event data include: Thrombocytopenia and neutropenia are the most frequently reported hematological adverse events.. Disease progression and malignancy-related reactions are common, indicating potential efficacy but also risks.. Infections and sepsis are significant safety signals, especially in the context of immunosuppression.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Gemcitabine interact with other drugs?

Gemcitabine can cause severe hematological and infectious adverse events, and patients should be closely monitored for signs of these conditions. Drug interactions are not specifically highlighted in the data but should be considered in the context o Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Gemcitabine.

What should patients know before taking Gemcitabine?

Patients should report any new or worsening symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Regular blood tests are essential to monitor for hematological side effects.

Are Gemcitabine side effects well-documented?

Gemcitabine has 70,539 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The drug has a wide range of reactions, including disease progression and various hematological issues. The volume of reports for Gemcitabine reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Gemcitabine?

The FDA continues to monitor the safety of gemcitabine, and updates are regularly issued based on new data. Healthcare providers should stay informed about the latest safety information and guidelines. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to GEMCITABINE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

CisplatinPaclitaxelDocetaxelEtoposideCarboplatin
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.