Drugs >  Capecitabine
Capecitabine
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
Reasons not to take this medicine
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(ka pe SITE a been)

Brand Names
Xeloda®

Therapeutic Categories
Antineoplastic Agent, Antimetabolite

Reasons not to take this medicine

  • If you have an allergy to capecitabine, fluorouracil, or any other part of the medicine.


What is this medicine used for?

  • This medicine is used for the treatment of breast cancer.


How does it work?

  • Capecitabine becomes active against the cancer cells as it passes through the liver.


How is it best taken?

  • Take at the end of a meal with water.
  • It is usually taken on some sort of cycle (2 weeks on, 1 week off).
  • Your dose may be adjusted. This depends on how many side effects you have.


What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Keep doses separated by 12 hours.


What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

  • If you are 80 years of age or older, you may have more side effects.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are taking leucovorin.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.
  • Do not use if you are breast-feeding.


What are the common side effects of this medicine?

  • Diarrhea.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Skin irritation.
  • Feeling weak or tired. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Numbness, tingling, pain, swelling and redness of hands and feet.
  • Painful ulcers in the mouth or tongue.


What should I monitor?

  • For side effects.
  • Watch for change in temperature.
  • Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.


Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
  • Painful redness and swelling of the hands or feet. Stop the medicine until you talk with healthcare provider.
  • Severe diarrhea. This would be 4 to 6 bowel movements per day. Stop the medicine until you talk with healthcare provider.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting. This would be 2 to 5 events in a 24 hour period. Stop the medicine until you talk with healthcare provider.
  • Fever less than or equal to 100.5 or signs of infection.
  • Bruising or bleeding.


How should I store this medicine?

  • Store in a tight container at room temperature.


General statements

  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).


Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved

 

 

RELATED INFORMATION
  Interactions with supplements
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)