Capecitabine
About Capecitabine
Capecitabine is a prescription oral medication used to treat certain types of cancer, including colon, rectal, and breast cancer. It works by targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells to slow down or stop their growth. Your doctor will determine if Capecitabine is suitable for your specific type of cancer.
You will typically take this medication twice a day, in the morning and evening, consistently at the same times. It is very important to take each dose within 30 minutes after finishing a meal to help your body absorb it properly. Staying well-hydrated and eating a balanced diet can help support your body during this treatment.
While taking Capecitabine, you may experience some common side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, or redness and peeling on your hands and feet. If you experience severe diarrhea, vomiting, or a high fever, you must contact your doctor immediately, as these can become serious quickly.
Talk to your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease, liver damage, heart conditions, or a known enzyme deficiency called DPD deficiency. Do not take this if you have a complete lack of the DPD enzyme, as this can lead to severe, life-threatening reactions. Capecitabine should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding individuals due to the risk of harm to the baby.
This medication can interact with other treatments, including blood thinners, certain antacids, and seizure medicines, which may increase your risk of severe bleeding or other side effects. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, consult your doctor or pharmacist to discuss specific precautions and monitoring needed during your therapy.
Uses of Capecitabine
Medicinal Benefits
Capecitabine helps treat certain types of cancer by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. As part of a comprehensive cancer treatment plan, it helps control disease progression and supports improved treatment outcomes.
Benefits may include:
- Helps slow or stop the growth of certain cancer cells.
- May help shrink tumours and delay the progression of cancer.
- Supports treatment after surgery to help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in appropriate patients.
- Helps improve disease control as part of a comprehensive cancer treatment plan.
- Provides the convenience of oral treatment, reducing the need for frequent intravenous chemotherapy visits.
- Supports overall quality of life during cancer treatment by allowing greater flexibility in daily routines.
Directions for Use
- Capecitabine should be taken within 30 minutes after a meal.
- It is recommended to take Capecitabine twice daily or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow Capecitabine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Capecitabine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Redness, swelling, pain, or peeling on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet (hand-foot syndrome)
- Mild diarrhea, nausea, or loss of appetite
- Unusual tiredness, weakness, or low energy
- Stomach discomfort or mild abdominal pain
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away)
- Severe diarrhea (having 4 or more bowel movements than usual per day, or waking up at night with diarrhea)
- Severe vomiting (unable to keep fluids down) or extreme dehydration
- Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or sudden dizziness
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe upper stomach pain
- Signs of infection, including a fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher, chills, or sore throat
- Painful skin peeling, blistering, or open sores on your hands or feet that prevent daily activities
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the medicine before use: Do not take the tablets if they are cracked, chipped, broken, or otherwise damaged.
- Separate antacids from your dose: Avoid taking antacids containing aluminum or magnesium hydroxide within 2 hours of Capecitabine, as they may reduce its absorption and effectiveness.
- Use effective contraception: Use reliable birth control during treatment and for the recommended period after your final dose, as Capecitabine can harm an unborn baby. Follow your doctor's advice regarding the appropriate duration of contraception.
- Protect your skin from sunlight: Capecitabine may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Limit direct sun exposure, wear protective clothing, and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors.
- Reduce the risk of hand-foot skin reactions: Avoid long, hot baths or showers, as heat and friction can worsen hand-foot skin reactions. Keep your hands and feet cool, moisturized, and protected during treatment.
Drug Interactions
- Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin): Taking these medicines alongside Capecitabine may significantly increase the risk of serious bleeding. Your doctor may monitor your blood clotting closely and adjust your treatment if needed.
- Anti-seizure medicines (e.g., phenytoin): Capecitabine may increase phenytoin levels in the body, raising the risk of side effects and toxicity.
- Antacids: Certain antacids may increase the absorption of Capecitabine, which could increase the risk of side effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Capecitabine to avoid unpleasant side effects. Alcohol intake, along with Capecitabine, may cause increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeCapecitabine should not be used during pregnancy because it causes harm to the fetus (newborn baby). Both women of childbearing potential and men must use an effective contraception method while taking fluorouracil and for at least six months afterwards. Please consult your doctor about any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
unsafeCapecitabine should not be taken during breastfeeding as it passes into the breastmilk and may harm the nursing baby. It is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
unsafeCapecitabine may cause dizziness and drowsiness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any liver-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Capecitabine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Capecitabine.
Kidney
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any kidney-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Capecitabine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Capecitabine.
Children
unsafeCapecitabine should not be used by children, as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay hydrated: Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water or clear fluids daily to prevent dehydration, especially if you experience mild diarrhea or nausea.
- Protect your skin: Apply a thick, alcohol-free moisturizing cream to your hands and feet regularly. Avoid hot water, vigorous rubbing, and tight footwear to reduce the risk of hand-foot syndrome.
- Eat smaller meals: Choose small, frequent, bland meals (such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) to ease digestion and manage nausea. Avoid spicy, fatty, or highly acidic foods.
- Practice gentle oral care: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and rinse your mouth with water or a mild baking soda solution after meals to prevent mouth sores.
Special Advise
- Regularly monitor your blood tests to monitor your liver function, electrolyte levels, and blood cell count in your blood.
- Avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV light (such as tanning booths) and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Capecitabine may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
- Capecitabine should be taken under strict medical supervision. The doctor will regularly monitor your condition while taking Capecitabine.
- Consult a doctor immediately if you notice any signs of infection, fever, diarrhoea, chills, etc.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Breast cancer: It is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells stimulated by a female sex hormone called estrogen. Breast cancer may form in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), and the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. The tumour cells invade other healthy breast cells and travel to lymph nodes, a primary pathway for the cancer cells to move to other body parts. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast or tissue thickening, which feels different than the normal surrounding tissues, breast pain, redness, swelling, and nipple discharge other than breast milk.
Stomach cancer (gastric cancer): It is a type of cancer that develops from the stomach lining. Risk factors may include smoking, a highly processed or salty diet, and severe bacterial infection of H. pylori. Symptoms of stomach cancer include feeling bloated after eating, feeling full after eating small amounts of food, nausea, heartburn or indigestion.
FAQs
Capecitabine belongs to a group of medicines known as anti-cancer‚ used to treat breast, colon and stomach cancer.
Capecitabine interferes with the growth of the cancer cells genetic material (DNA). This slows the growth of cancer cells and eventually kills them.
Capecitabine can make your skin more sensitive to the harmful effects of sunlight. Hence it is advised to wear protective clothing while using Capecitabine. It is recommended to avoid tanning booths and sunlamps.
Yes, Capecitabine may change the results of blood tests and other laboratory tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Capecitabine as regular monitoring of liver and kidney functions tests, electrolyte levels and blood cells is required.
Yes, Capecitabine commonly affects the hair by making it thin, which further causes hair loss. However, it is not very common. Hair reduction possibly happens due to the estrogen-lowering effect of Capecitabine. These effects are not long-lasting and may return after some time. If it matters to you, then consult your doctor for further advice.
Capecitabine may cause osteoporosis (bone thinning) due to the reduction of estrogen in the body. Regular bone density tests may help you monitor osteoporosis. Contact your doctor if you observe any sign of tendon pain or swelling while taking Capecitabine.
Your doctor will decide the number of treatment cycles and the frequency of Capecitabine to be taken, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
No, it is advised not to use these two medicines at the same time as they may cause severe drug reactions. Maintain a gap of at least four weeks between the last dose of brivudine and the first dose of Capecitabine.
Capecitabine contains Capecitabine, an anti-cancer medication used to treat breast cancer, stomach, rectal and colon cancer.
Capecitabine may cause side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite, increased risk of infection, hair loss, diarrhoea, decreased blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets), mouth ulcers, blisters on fingers/feet in some cases. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
No, you should not crush, chew, or split Capecitabinetablets. They must be swallowed whole with water to ensure you receive the correct dose and to prevent exposure to the active medicine. If you have difficulty swallowing, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for alternative options.
Do not take an extra dose to replace the one you vomited. Simply wait and take your next scheduled dose at the normal time. Inform your doctor as soon as possible if you frequently vomit after taking your medication. Talk to your doctor for guidance on managing nausea.
Taking Capecitabineshortly after a meal helps your body absorb the medication properly and safely. It also helps reduce the likelihood of experiencing stomach irritation and nausea. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you struggle to eat before your doses.
Hand-foot syndrome is a skin reaction that causes redness, swelling, tingling, numbness, or peeling on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet. If you notice these symptoms becoming painful or interfering with your daily activities, talk to your doctor immediately.
It is best to avoid or strictly limit alcohol while taking Capecitabine. Alcohol can worsen stomach irritation, dehydration, and liver strain, which are already potential side effects of your treatment. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before drinking alcohol.
You should avoid getting live vaccines during your treatment, as Capecitabinecan weaken your immune system and increase the risk of infection from the vaccine. Always talk to your doctor before receiving any vaccine or booster shot.
Capecitabine can cause harm to an unborn baby and may affect fertility in both men and women. Reliable birth control must be used by both male and female patients during treatment and for a period after stopping. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about family planning.
Your healthcare team will monitor your progress through regular checkups, blood tests, and imaging scans (like CT or MRI scans) to see how your body is responding. Do not stop taking the medicine unless directed, and talk to your doctor about your treatment progress.
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