Xeloda (Capecitabine)

General information

Xeloda belongs to the group of medications known as antineoplastics. It fights cancer by killing and preventing the growth of cancer cells. Xeloda is used to treat certain types of breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Directions

Take Xeloda exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth, usually twice daily in the morning and evening. Take it with a full glass of water within 30 minutes after the end of a meal. Xeloda should be taken at the same times each day. Xeloda is usually taken every day for 2 weeks, then stopped for 1 week.

Precautions

Before taking Xeloda you should talk with your doctor if you have kidney disease, kidney failure, liver disease, liver failure, cirrhosis, heart disease, coronary artery disease, any allergies. Do not have immunizations or vaccinations. Avoid using antacids. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. People over 80 years old may be more likely to have certain side effects.

Contraindications

You should not take Xeloda if you are allergic to capecitabine, 5-fluorouracil, or to any of the ingredients of the medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency, reduced kidney function.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have dizziness, constipation, heartburn, loss of appetite, diarrhea, mild nausea, vomiting, abdominal or stomach pain, diarrhea, peeling, redness, swelling, numbness, pain, tingling, severe nausea, loss of appetite, severe vomiting, fever, chills, sore throat, cough, painful urination, skin rash, itching, swelling of fingers, feet, unusual bruising, bleeding, tiredness, weakness, slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), temporary hair loss, joint or muscle pain, body aches. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: sulfa drugs, diabetes medications (glimepiride, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, repaglinide), heart or blood pressure medications (metoprolol, bumetanide, triamterene), cancer medication (tamoxifen, paclitaxel), voriconazole, selegiline, bosentan, antidepressants (fluoxetine, amitriptyline, citalopram, nortriptyline, doxepin), fosphenytoin, montelukast, zafirlukast. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stools, coughing up blood.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.