What is Capecitabine?
Capecitabine can be used as a single chemotherapy agent or in combination with other chemotherapy agents to treat colorectal cancer, breast cancer, or colon cancer.
Capecitabine can be used to treat cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body. Capecitabine can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Capecitabine
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or a severe reaction to the skin (fever or sore throat with burning eyes, burning skin, or blistering skin), seek emergency medical attention.
Diarrhoea can occur, and it could be severe. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience more than four bowel movements per day or if they happen at night.
Capecitabine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Severe diarrhoea;
- Bloody diarrhoea with severe abdominal pain and fever
- Nausea or loss of appetite that makes eating less than usual possible are symptoms that should not be ignored, especially as pregnancy progresses.
- Vomiting more than once within 24 hours.
- Fever above 100.5 degrees;
- You may experience sores, ulcers, swelling, or redness of the mouth or tongue.
- Jaundice
- Dehydration symptoms—feeling thirsty, hot, or unable to urinate. Heavy sweating or hot and dried skin.
- Hand and foot syndrome: pain, tenderness, or swelling on the hands or feet
- Heart problems: chest pain, irregular heartbeats (heart palpitations), swelling of the lower legs, rapid weight increase, feeling lightheaded or short of breath;
- Low blood cell counts can cause fever, chills, and fatigue, as well as mouth sores or skin sores. They may also result in easy bruising, unusual bleeds, pale skin on the hands and feet, and a feeling of being light-headed.
If you experience certain side effects, your cancer treatment may be permanently stopped or delayed.
Capecitabine can cause the following side effects:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain;
- Feeling tired or weak
- Hand and foot syndrome
There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects; for FDA reporting purposes call them directly at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Keytruda, Arimidex, Avastin, Fluorouracil, Pembrolizumab, Femara, and Xeloda
Warnings
Adults older than 60 are at greater risk for severe bleeding when taking a blood-thinning medication (coumadin, warfarin, or Jantoven).
Before you take this drug
If you are allergic to or have a condition that could cause an allergy to fluorouracil or capecitabine, you should not use capecitabine.
- Severe kidney disease
Inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- DPD deficiency, also referred to as dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency;
- Liver or kidney disease
- Heart problems
- If you are a regular "INR" (prothrombin-time) test and use a blood thinner,
Capecitabine may harm an unborn child if either the mother or father are taking this medication.
- You may need to take a pregnancy test if you're a woman. Use birth control during treatment and for 6 months following your last dose.
- Use birth control if you're a man and your partner can get pregnant. Continue to use birth control at least three months after your last dose.
- Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.
This medicine may reduce the likelihood of pregnancy for either the mother or father. Men and women both should use birth control to avoid pregnancy, as the medicine can harm a baby. Do not breastfeed for 2 weeks after taking this medication.
How to take Capecitabine?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label. Capecitabine may only be part of a larger treatment plan that includes other medications and different dosage schedules. Do not forget to follow your doctor's instructions.
Take it within 30 minutes of eating or with food. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet. If you are having trouble swallowing, tell your doctor.
Capecitabine may be given as part of a three-week treatment cycle. You might only have to take it on certain days. During prolonged illness, you may become dehydrated. If you have diarrhoea or vomiting, call your doctor.
Your cancer treatment may be delayed due to the results of your medical tests. Capecitabine may have long-lasting effects on the body. After your last dose, you may need to undergo medical tests. Store away from moisture or heat at room temperature. When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.
Interaction with other drug
Adults older than 60 are at greater risk for severe bleeding when taking a blood-thinning medication (warfarin or Coumadin). Tell your doctor that you are also taking alopurinol. Capecitabine can be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor of all the other medications you take.
