Capecitabin (other name Xeloda)

Common use

Xeloda is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body. Xeloda is used alone or in combination chemotherapy to treat colon cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer. Xeloda is sometimes used when cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Dosage and direction

Take Xeloda exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Xeloda is usually taken twice per day, and may be only part of a treatment program that may also include other medications taken on different schedules. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. Take with food or within 30 minutes after eating a meal. Swallow the tablet whole with water and do not crush, chew, or break it.

Precautions

To make sure Xeloda is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency; liver or kidney disease; heart problems; or if you use a blood thinner and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests.

Contraindications

You should not take Xeloda if you are allergic to capecitabine or fluorouracil, or if you have: severe kidney disease or a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency.
Capecitabine can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using Xeloda. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs.
Do not breastfeed while using Xeloda, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Xeloda (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Stop using Xeloda and call your doctor at once if you have: severe diarrhea; bloody diarrhea with severe stomach pain and fever; severe nausea or loss of appetite that causes you to eat much less than usual; vomiting (more than once in 24 hours); fever above 100.5 degrees; sores or ulcers in your mouth, redness or swelling of your mouth or tongue, trouble eating or swallowing; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); dehydration symptoms - feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin; "hand and foot syndrome" - pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, blistering, or peeling skin on your hands or feet; heart problems - chest pain, irregular heartbeats, swelling in your lower legs, rapid weight gain, feeling lightheaded or short of breath; or low blood cell counts - fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.
Common Xeloda side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain; feeling weak or tired; hand and foot syndrome; or jaundice.

Drug interaction

Taking a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven) can increase your risk of severe bleeding during and shortly after treatment with Xeloda. This risk is higher in adults older than 60.
Tell your doctor if you also take allopurinol.

Missed dose

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Keep away from children and pets.