Xeloda (Capecitabine)

Xeloda is used for treating women with breast cancer that is resistant to other more commonly-used drugs. It also is used following surgery for colorectal cancer if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes (Dukes' C stage).

Xeloda generally is taken twice daily, with the two doses approximately 12 hours apart. Tablets should be taken 30 minutes after eating. Xeloda usually is prescribed in repeated cycles of 3-weeks, with the drug taken for two consecutive weeks followed by a week without drug. Some patients may need lower or delayed dosing. As always, the physician's dosing instructions should be followed.

Xeloda is an oral medication for treating advanced breast cancers that are resistant to combination therapy with the drugs of choice, paclitaxel (Taxol) and a drug from the anthracycline family of drugs, for example, doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Xeloda is converted by the body to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a drug which has been given intravenously for many years to treat various types of cancer. It is not surprising, therefore, that xeloda also is effective in the treatment of colorectal cancer, a type of cancer which is treated frequently with 5-FU. 5-FU inhibits the production of both DNA and protein by the cancerous cells that are necessary for the cells to divide and the cancer to grow in size. Xeloda was approved by the FDA in 1998 for the treatment of breast cancer and in 2005 for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from heat and light.

Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine may lower your resistance to infection. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people who have colds or other infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first. Check with your doctor before having immunizations (vaccinations) while you are using this medicine. This medicine has been shown to cause harm to the human fetus. If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is unknown if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

The most common side effects with xeloda are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, painful swelling of the mouth, fatigue, painful rash and swelling of the hands or feet, low white blood cell count (which can lead to infections), low blood platelet counts (which can lead to bleeding), and anemia. About one of every three patients who receives xeloda has serious side effects, but these side effects usually are reversible when the drug is stopped or when the dose is lowered.

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.