Xeloda
Capecitabine
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Xeloda
Xeloda is an oral medication for treatment of advanced breast cancers that are resistant to combination therapy with the drugs of choice (the drug of choice in breast cancer are paclitaxel and a drug from the anthracycline family of drugs, for example, doxorubicin, Adriamycin etc.)
Xeloda is converted by the body to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). 5-FU is a cancer chemotherapy drug given intravenously for to treat various types of cancers, including breast cancer. That is why Xeloda is also 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 cancer 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.
Therapeutic Uses of Xeloda
Xeloda is used for treatment breast cancer that is resistant to other more commonly-used drugs of breast cancer. It also is used following surgery for colorectal cancer, especially if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes (known as Dukes' C stage).
Direction of use of Xeloda
Xeloda is usually taken twice daily, every 12 hourly. Xeloda tablets should be taken 30 minutes after meal. Xeloda usually is prescribed in cycles of 3-weeks, with the drug taken for two consecutive weeks followed by a week without drug, which is repeated several times for full course of treatment. Some patients may need lower or delayed dosing. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions.
If You Miss a Dose of Xeloda
If you miss a dose of this medicine, you should skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at a time for missing a dose.
How to Store Xeloda
Xeloda should be stored at room temperature. Store it away from heat, moisture and light in a tightly closed container. Do not store it in bathroom. Keep Xeloda out of reach of children as it is very toxic drug, especially for children.
More Information About Xeloda
If you have any questions about Xeloda, discuss with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Xeloda should be used by the patient only for whom it is prescribed and not shared with others. Do not use Xeloda for other medical conditions. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Xeloda
Do not use Xeloda if you have any of the following medical problems and consult your doctor:
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients used in Xeloda.
- Before you get any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, inform your doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.
- This medicine may lower your immunity (resistance to infection). You should avoid contacts with people who have colds or other infections, to prevent infection. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first, it may infect your eyes and nose.
- Consult your doctor before having immunizations (vaccinations) while you are using this medicine.
- This medicine has been shown to cause harm to the human fetus (any growing cells). 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, without consulting your doctor.
- You should keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine.
Possible Adverse Effects of Xeloda
- 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. If any of the above mentioned common side effects become bothersome and persistent you should consult your doctor.
- About one third of patients who receives Xeloda have serious side effects, but these side effects usually are reversible when the drug is stopped or when the dose is lowered.