Capecitabine

Included in a group of medicines called antimetabolites, capecitabine (Xeloda^®) is an oral chemotherapy drug approved by the U.S. FDA for metastatic breast cancer and certain types of colorectal cancer treatment.

When taken orally, capecitabine is converted by the body into a cancer-fighting substance called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which works to halt the growth of breast and colorectal tumors. Although 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) can also be given intravenously as a cancer chemotherapy treatment, capecitabine offers this drug in an oral form, eliminating the need for slow and sometimes painful vein infusions.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), our cancer specialists work closely with metastatic breast and colon cancer patients to understand their unique needs. Working together with you, we can help you evaluate your choices to decide whether or not capecitabine is an appropriate chemotherapy drug for you.

Learn more about our whole-patient approach to cancer treatment. Chat now with an Oncology Information Specialist to determine if CTCA is the right treatment facility for you. Or, contact us today at 1-800-615-3055 for more information.

Similar to many chemotherapy drugs, capecitabine also carries the risk of possible side effects. Although the side effects of capecitabine can generally be managed, some patients may experience more adverse or severe side effects than others.

Common capecitabine side effects include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Stomatitis (mouth and throat sores)
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Dehydration
• Loss of appetite
• Hand-and-foot syndrome (unusual pain, redness or swelling of the hands and feet)
• Itchy skin irritations or rashes
• Hair loss
• Nail problems
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Fever
• General aches and pains (chest, back, joint, and muscle)
• Loss of taste

Metastatic breast cancer patients who are taking capecitabine in combination with another medicine called Taxotere^®, may also experience additional side effects related to that particular medication.

Because each person may react differently to cancer treatments, the above list should not be considered as a comprehensive list of potential capecitabine side effects.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), our cancer specialists will work with you to evaluate, understand and monitor side effects that could result from capecitabine treatment. Our integrative cancer treatment provides a variety of healing therapies designed to preserve quality of life and mitigate side effects as much as possible.

Capecitabine is indicated as a combination chemotherapy treatment for metastatic breast cancer along with Taxotere^® (docetaxel).

Capecitabine can also be used as a standalone chemotherapy treatment for metastatic breast cancer patients whose cancer has not responded to treatment from other chemotherapy drugs, such as paclitaxel and anthracycline-containing medicines.

Capecitabine is indicated as an adjuvant, or post-surgery, therapy for Dukes' C (stage III) colon cancer (cancer which has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but not to distant sites).

Capecitabine is also indicated for treatment of metastatic colon cancer that has spread to other distant sites/areas of the body.

To explore cancer treatment options for you or a loved one, please chat with an Oncology Information Specialist.

At our cancer hospitals, we educate you about all of your treatment possibilities and provide you with a plan to treat all of you—body, mind and spirit.