Home | Links | Contact Us | Top 50 | Submit | Bookmark
Find a drug:
A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X   Y   Z   #  



Drug Guide    X   xeloda

    Prescription drug information       User opinions and reviews (3)    

   Xeloda xeloda xeloda xeloda xeloda xeloda
xeloda

Xeloda
Capecitabine Oral


Capecitabine is used to treat cancer (e.g., breast or colorectal). Capecitabine kills cancer cells and shrinks tumors by blocking the process by which the cells divide and are formed (DNA/RNA synthesis).


 
2.66667 out of 5
Avg Consumer Rating 2.7 out of 5
3 Reviews | Post your opinion
 

Overview Photos How To Use Side Effects Precautions Missed Dose Drug Interactions

xeloda

Uses
Capecitabine is used to treat cancer (e.g., breast or colorectal). Capecitabine kills cancer cells and shrinks tumors by blocking the process by which the cells divide and are formed (DNA/RNA synthesis).


Storage
  • Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container.
  • Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 - 30 degrees C) is permitted.
  • Keep away from light and moisture.


Overdose
  • If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
  • Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach irritation and bleeding.

Photos
Xeloda
Xeloda
XELODA
XELODA
Xeloda is an oral chemotherapy drug.
Xeloda is an oral chemotherapy drug.
Xeloda
Xeloda
Xeloda
Xeloda

How To Use
  • Take Xeloda by mouth usually twice daily with food as directed by your doctor.
  • It is best taken at the end of a meal with a full glass of water.
  • Capecitabine is taken every day for 2 weeks followed by one week without taking Xeloda.
  • This course of treatment may then be repeated as directed by your doctor.
  • The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
  • Your dosage may need to be adjusted using a different number of tablets and tablet strengths.
  • Pay close attention to your dosage.

Side Effects
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, constipation, weakness, body aches, headache, dizziness, trouble sleeping, or dry, red, itchy skin may occur.
  • If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor.
  • Stop taking capecitabine and tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these serious side effects: severe vomiting (2 or more times per day), severe diarrhea (4 or more times per day), persistent sore throat or fever, unusual bruising or bleeding, pain/swelling/redness or numbness of the hands and feet, sores in mouth.
  • Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, chest pain, trouble breathing.
  • If you notice other side effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions
  • Xeloda should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
  • Before using Xeloda, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe kidney disease, a certain enzyme deficiency (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency).
  • Before using Xeloda, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart-related problems, liver problems, blood disorders (e.g., bone marrow suppression), kidney disease, allergies (especially to fluorouracil; 5-FU).
  • Xeloda can lower your body s ability to fight infection.
  • Avoid touching your eyes or inside your nose without first washing your hands.
  • Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine.
  • Use caution with sharp objects like safety razors or nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports in order to lower the chances of getting cut, bruised or injured.
  • Caution is advised when Xeloda is used in the elderly, as they may be more sensitive to the side effects of Xeloda.
  • Xeloda is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
  • Consult your doctor before using Xeloda.
  • It is not known if Xeloda passes into breast milk.
  • Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Xeloda is not recommended.
  • Consult your doctor before breast- feeding.

Missed Dose
  • If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist to establish a new dosing schedule.

Drug Interactions
  • Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you use, especially of: leucovorin, blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), folic acid, vitamins containing folic acid, other anti-cancer drugs, phenytoin, fosphenytoin.
  • Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Add a Rating - Post your opinion about this drug

Post your opinion about xeloda


User Medicine Opinions for xeloda
Overall: 2 out of 5
Low adverse Reactions 3 out of 5
Healing Power: 4 out of 5
No dependency problems: 5 out of 5
Cost-Benefit: 5 out of 5
Sex: F
Age: 50
Time Taken: 2 weeks

Reason: Advanced metastatic breast cancer Date: 10 October 2006
Side Effects
Swelling of abdomen, slight diarrhoea (stools = always yellow in colour), dry and itchy skin, cystytis. Exhaustion.

Additional Thoughts
Taken in tablet form twice a day for 2 weeks and then a week's rest. I found side effects just as bad, if not worse, during the week off! Xeloda is metabolized to fluorouracil in the body. Exposure to chemo is longer than with intravenous treatment every 3-4 weeks. Maybe that's why I feel worse than on CMF most of the time.

Overall: 2 out of 5
Low adverse Reactions 4 out of 5
Healing Power: 4 out of 5
No dependency problems: 5 out of 5
Cost-Benefit: 4 out of 5
Sex: F
Age: 40
Time Taken: 3 months

Reason: Metastatic breast cancer Date: 12 March 2007
Side Effects
Fatigue and, by the time I stopped it, an almost complete inability to eat or retain what I'd eaten. I was taking it with epirubicin and cisplatin so I'll put the other side-effects in the first few days after treatment down to them. But the nausea/loss of appetite went on continuously so was probably the oral Xeloda which was taken continuously.

Additional Thoughts
The combination didn't apparently do me any good anyhow. Because of this and because my quality of life was so poor, I gave up the chemo after 3 months rather than doing another 3 months.

Overall: 4 out of 5
Low adverse Reactions 4 out of 5
Healing Power: 5 out of 5
No dependency problems: 5 out of 5
Cost-Benefit: 5 out of 5
Sex: F
Age: 60
Time Taken: 6 months

Reason: Stage 4 bc bone mets Date: 26 June 2007
Side Effects
Tummy bloating and change in bowel habits but no diarrhea or any other side effects like hand/foot syndrome...but then my dose is only 2000mg day, 14 days on and 7 days off. tumor markers going down so this dose is working and easier to handle than others I've been on.

Additional Thoughts


CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Large Text
Archive: All drugs - Links
Drug3k does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 0.014
Copyright (c) 2007 Drug3k Sunday, September 7, 2008