Gallium Nitrate, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihypercalcemic

Generic and brand names: gallium nitrate, injection; Ganite

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat high levels of calcium in the blood of people who are being treated for cancer. This medicine is given when symptoms have not responded to other treatment.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• heart failure
• kidney disease

Tell your healthcare provider if you eat a lot of foods high in calcium or vitamin D, such as milk or other dairy products.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider. It is given by continuous IV (through a needle into your vein).

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Ask your healthcare provider how much extra fluid you should drink while receiving this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Your healthcare provider will watch you closely to make sure the medicine is working and is not causing unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Any changes in vision or hearing; unusual bleeding or bruising; increased or decreased urination; swelling in the legs; shortness of breath; rapid heartbeat; weakness; hallucinations; severe confusion; rash.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, tiredness, dizziness, numbness or tingling, fever, metallic taste.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• amphotericin B (Fungizone, Abelcet, AmBisome)
• antacids containing calcium such as Tums
• antibiotics such as gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), tobramycin (Nebcin), and amikacin (Amikin)
• calcium supplements such as Os-Cal, Citracal, Caltrate
• cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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