Xeloda (Capecitabine)

What is Xeloda?

Xeloda is a fluoropyrimidine carbamate having antineoplastic activity.

What is Xeloda used for?

Xeloda is used either alone or with other medicines to treat certain types of cancers like those in breast, colon or rectum.

How does Xeloda work?

Xeloda benefits by hindering the growth of cancer cells in the body. This reduces the size of the tumor and prevents it from infecting other healthy cells.

How to use Xeloda

Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor regarding the intensity and frequency of the medication. Take it by mouth two times a day and 30 minutes after your meal. It is preferable to take the medicine with a full glass of water.

Its full prescription is for two weeks and can be repeated as per the requirement and response of your body (to the medication).

It is highly recommended not to stop or change the doses on your own.

Xeloda warnings and precautions

In order to make sure that you are safe from some unwanted reactions that the medicine may cause, tell your physician about the history of all ailments you have had in your lifetime.

Talk to your medical adviser about all the allergies and treatments that you are undergoing.

In case you have some moderate renal impairment at the baseline, tell your doctor before starting with Xeloda doses, as you may need some dose adjustment.

Xeloda can also result in severe diarrhea and in case you come across such a situation, take plenty of fluids in order to avoid the condition of dehydration in body.

It is even more important for nursing and lactating females to check with their doctors whether it is safe for them to use Xeloda.

Go for regular checkups during the course of your treatment with Xeloda.

What do I do if I have missed a Xeloda dose?

If you have missed your Xeloda dose, you should not make up for your missed dose. Skip the one you missed and continue with the directed schedule.

What do I do if I have taken a Xeloda overdose?

If you have taken a Xeloda overdose, you should immediately seek an emergency medical help.

Xeloda interactions

If your doctor is aware of your medical history, he must be already aware of the possible drug interactions that can trouble you. But it is equally your responsibility to talk to your doctor if you have some medical condition that your doctor is unaware of.

Using prescription or non-prescription drugs that contain folic acid, leucovorin, tinidazole and metronidazole is not encouraged as Xeloda can interact with them, thereby causing serious side effects.

Xeloda also affects the functioning of blood thinners, fosphenytoin and phenytoin by disturbing mechanism of some liver enzymes.

Xeloda side effects

Some common side effects that have been linked to Xeloda disappear slowly as they occur when the body starts adjusting to the medicine. But if these symptoms persist, consult your doctor. These symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, weakness, headache, dizziness, sleeping trouble, skin darkening, and nausea.

Other Xeloda serious side effects that occur rarely but are very serious and require immediate medical attention are severe nausea or vomiting, painful red sores in mouth or throat.

Also, in some cases temporary hair loss also occurs but normal hair growth should return after the treatment. If it stays and starts becoming bothersome, call your doctor.