Drug Name

Xeloda (Capecitabine)

Drug Use

Xeloda is used for the treatment of breast cancer in women resistant to other, more commonly used drugs. It can also be used after surgery, if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes (C stage).

How To Use

Xeloda usually taken twice a day, two doses of about 12 hours. Tablets should be taken 30 minutes after a meal. Xeloda usually prescribed in the form of repetitive 3-week cycles, with drug taken for two weeks and then a one week period without drugs. Some patients may need to reduce the dose. Doctor’s dosage instructions should be observed.

Mechanism Of Action

Xeloda is an oral drug for the treatment of advanced breast cancer resistant to drug combination therapy including paclitaxel (Abitaksel) and anthracycline drugs, such as doxorubicin (adriamitsin). Human body transforms Xeloda into 5 - fluorouracyl (5 - FU), used for years as an intravenous drug for the treatment of various types of cancer. No wonder Xeloda is also effective in treatment of colorectal cancer, the type of cancer often considered with 5 - FU. 5 - FU inhibits the production of both DNA and proteins necessary for cancer cell division and thus prevents the growth of cancer cells. Xeloda was approved by U.S. FDA in 1998 for the treatment of breast cancer and in 2005 for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Missed Doses

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

Storage

Store at room temperature away from heat and light.

Precautions

Keep your doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take the drug before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care or surgery. These drugs can reduce the resistance of infection. To prevent the infection avoid contact with people who have cold or any other infection.

Do not touch the mucous membranes of your eyes or nose, or else wash your hands thoroughly first. Consult your doctor before going through immunization (vaccination) while using this drug. The drug may do harm to the foetus if taken during the pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, contact your doctor to discuss the benefits and risks of using the drug while pregnant. It is unclear if these drugs are excreted in breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking the drug.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of 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 infection), low platelets level (which can cause bleeding) and anemia. About one-third of patients who receive Xeloda are affected by serious side effects, but these side effects are usually reversible when taking the drug is stopped or the dose reduced.

More Information

If you have questions about Casodex, please consult the doctor.

Use Casodex strictly as directed by your doctor.

If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, check with your doctor.