What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Gemcitabine and paclitaxel
Paclitaxel's FDA label (Paclitaxel) of November 1, 2023 names gemcitabine in its warnings and precautions section; the gemcitabine labels PlainMeds reads (4) do not name paclitaxel. The paclitaxel label: “… Pneumonitis occurred with the use of protein bound paclitaxel in combination with gemcitabine; permanently discontinue treatment with Paclitaxel Protein-Bound Particles for Injectable Suspension (albumin-bound) and …”
Check it at the source: the gemcitabine FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 14, 2024, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC); the paclitaxel FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 21, 2026, Natco Pharma USA LLC).
What does the gemcitabine label say about paclitaxel?
Gemcitabine's label (effective October 14, 2024) and its 3 other brand-application labels do not name paclitaxel in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (GEMCITABINE), Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC, effective October 14, 2024 (SPL set c550dd16-a5e8-44be-87f2-210c15bbb513), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the paclitaxel label say about gemcitabine?
Paclitaxel label (Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., November 1, 2023), warnings and precautionsWARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Sensory neuropathy occurs frequently and may require dose reduction or treatment interruption. ( 5.2 ) Sepsis occurred in patients who received Paclitaxel Protein-Bound Particles for Injectable Suspension (albumin-bound); interrupt Paclitaxel Protein-Bound Particles for Injectable Suspension (albumin-bound) until sepsis resolves, and if neutropenia, until neutrophils are at least 1500 cells/mm 3 , then resume treatment at reduced dose levels. ( 5.3 ) Pneumonitis occurred with the use of protein bound paclitaxel in combination with gemcitabine; …
Paclitaxel Protein Bound Particles Albumin Bound label (American Regent, Inc., May 1, 2023), warnings and precautionsWARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Sensory neuropathy occurs frequently and may require dose reduction or treatment interruption. ( 5.2 ) Sepsis occurred in patients with or without neutropenia who received protein bound paclitaxel in combination with gemcitabine; interrupt Paclitaxel Protein-Bound Particles for Injectable Suspension (Albumin-Bound) and gemcitabine until sepsis resolves, and if neutropenia, until neutrophils are at least 1500 cells/mm 3 , then resume treatment at reduced dose levels. ( 5.3 ) Pneumonitis occurred with the use of protein bound paclitaxel in combination with gemcitabine; …
Abraxane label (Abraxis BioScience, LLC, October 31, 2022), warnings and precautionsSepsis occurred in patients with or without neutropenia who received ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine; interrupt ABRAXANE and gemcitabine until sepsis resolves, and if neutropenia, until neutrophils are at least 1500 cells/mm 3 , then resume treatment at reduced dose levels.
Source: FDA drug label (Paclitaxel, NDA216338), Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective November 1, 2023 (SPL set 15dd51ed-29e8-468b-b6d1-21b1f84d6f2e), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Paclitaxel Protein Bound Particles Albumin Bound, NDA211875), American Regent, Inc., effective May 1, 2023 (SPL set f06d1bb3-83f1-4d84-8004-4c6681ad8a5a), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Abraxane, NDA021660), Abraxis BioScience, LLC, effective October 31, 2022 (SPL set 24d10449-2936-4cd3-b7db-a7683db721e4), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Paclitaxel), Natco Pharma USA LLC, effective January 21, 2026 (SPL set a1eb16b4-285b-4e81-9c4e-1244d4a52af8), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Gemcitabine | Paclitaxel | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Breast cancer, Lung cancer | Breast cancer, Lung cancer |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | n/a |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once