Xeloda is a cancer (chemotherapeutic) medication. Xeloda interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Xeloda is used in the treatment of some types of breast and colorectal cancers.
Xeloda may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Xeloda should only be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Talk to your doctor if you are taking the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin). In some cases, severe bleeding and death have resulted when these medications were taken together, or when treatment with warfarin (Coumadin) was started in the month following treatment with Xeloda. If treatment with both medications is determined by your doctor to be necessary, special monitoring will be required.
If the dose of Xeloda prescribed for you requires a combination of different strength tablets, it is very important that you correctly identify the tablets to ensure the correct dose. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions regarding a dose.
Stop taking Xeloda and notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects: more than 4 bowel movements per day or diarrhea at night; vomiting more than once in a 24-hour period; the amount of food you eat each day is much less than usual or if you are only able to eat at certain times; pain, redness, swelling, or sores in or around the mouth; tingling, numbness, pain, swelling, or redness of the hands and/or feet (hand-and-foot syndrome); or fever (temperature greater than 100.5 degrees) or other evidence of infection.
Do not take Xeloda without first talking to your doctor if you are allergic to fluorouracil (Adrucil).
Before taking Xeloda, tell your doctor if you
* have liver disease or a history of liver problems;
* have kidney disease;
have heart or coronary artery disease; or
are taking any other medicines especially warfarin (Coumadin), phenytoin (Dilantin), folic acid (found in some vitamins), or leucovorin (Wellcovorin).
You may not be able to take Xeloda, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Xeloda is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Contraceptive measures are recommended for both men and women during treatment with Xeloda. It is not known whether Xeloda will harm a nursing infant. Do not take Xeloda without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding. The safety and effectiveness of Xeloda in patients younger than 18 years of age have not been established. If you are over the age of 80, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Xeloda.
Xeloda should only be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Take Xeloda exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Each dose of Xeloda should be swallowed with water. Take Xeloda within 30 minutes after the end of a meal (usually breakfast and dinner).
If the dose of Xeloda prescribed for you requires a combination of different strength tablets, it is very important that you correctly identify the tablets to ensure the correct dose. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions regarding a dose.
Xeloda is usually taken for 14 days followed by a 7 day rest period (no drug given), in a 21 day cycle. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Take all of the Xeloda that has been prescribed for you. Store Xeloda at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Capecitabine is available with a prescription under the brand name Xeloda. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Xeloda 150 mg - oblong light peach-colored tablets
Xeloda 500 mg - oblong peach-colored tablets
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