Capecitabine (By mouth)
kap-e-SYE-ta-been
Treats cancer, including breast and colorectal cancer.
Drug classes
Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Capecitabine is used to help treat patients with Dukes’ C colon cancer (colon cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in the area close to the colon), after having surgery. This medicine is also used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum that has spread to other parts of the body).
Capecitabine is also used together with docetaxel to treat metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) in patients who have received other medicines (eg, paclitaxel) but did not worked well, or in patients who cannot receive cancer medicines anymore.
Capecitabine belongs to the group of medicines called antineoplastics (cancer medicines). It interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed by the body. Since the growth of normal cells may also be affected by the medicine, other side effects may also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, capecitabine is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Advanced or metastatic stomach cancer (cancer that has spread to other areas of the body), first-line therapy.
Metastatic colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum that has spread to other areas of the body), first-line therapy, in combination with bevacizumab and oxaliplatin.
Gastric cancer (stomach cancer), stage II to IIIB, in combination with oxaliplatin.
Rectal cancer (cancer of the rectum), locally advanced, adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy, in combination with radiation therapy.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Take this medicine with food or within 30 minutes after you eat.
Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not cut, crush, break, or chew it.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how capecitabine works. Tell your doctor if you use a blood thinner (such as phenprocoumon or warfarin), or if you use leucovorin or phenytoin.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to capecitabine or 5-fluorouracil, you are pregnant, or you have DPD deficiency.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease, or any type of infection.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Increased risk of heart attack or other heart problems Kidney failure Serious skin reactionsThis medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, faintness
Diarrhea 4 or more times each day, diarrhea at night, bloody bowel movements, abdominal pain
Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Fever of at least 100.5° or other signs of infection, such as chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
Redness, pain, swelling, or blisters on your hands or feet
Severe nausea, or vomiting more than 2 times in 24 hours
Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, unusual tiredness
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness, pale skin
Yellow skin or eyes
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Loss of appetite, weight loss
Mild diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Xeloda
There may be other brand names for this medicine.