Capecitabine (Xeloda)

Capecitabine is a cancer (chemotherapeutical) medicinal drug. Capecitabine interposes with the development of cancer cells and slows down their outgrowth and overspread in the body. Capecitabine is applied in the treatment of some types of breast and colorectal cancers. Capecitabine may also be utilized for uses other than those listed in this medicament guide.

How is Capecitabine believed to work?

Capecitabine consists to the category of chemotherapy named antimetabolites. Antimetabolites are identical similar to normal means within the cell. When the cells integrated these substances into the cellular metabolism, they are unable to split up. Antimetabolites are cell cycle particular. They attack cells at existent specific stages in the cycle.

Chemotherapy is most efficacious at killing cells that are quickly separating. Unfortunately, chemotherapy does not know the difference between the cancerous cells and the normal cells. The normal cells will develop back and be fit but in the meanwhile, fallouts happen. The normal cells most normally affected by chemotherapy are the blood cells, the cells in the mouth, stomach and bowel, and the hair follicles; ensuing in low blood counts, mouth sores nausea, diarrhea, and/or hair loss.

How Capecitabine used:

Take as a oral contraceptive pill by mouth. Take after food (within 30 minutes of a meal) with water. Tablets come in 2 sizes; 150mg and 500mg. Don’t crush, chew or dissolve tablets. The amount of Capecitabine that you will obtain looks on many elements, admitting your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition being treated. Your doctor will decide your dose and schedule.

Side Effect:

Side effects that you should report to your health care professional as soon as possible:

• Signs of infection – fever, chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
• Signs of decreased platelets or bleeding – bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
• Signs of decreased red blood cells – unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
• Dehydration (excessive water loss from the body)
• Hand-and-foot syndrome: pain, swelling, redness, or tingling of the hands and/or feet
• Pain, redness, swelling, or sores in your mouth or throat
• Severe diarrhea
• Severe nausea/vomiting
• Yellow color of skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention:

• Bone pain
• Constipation
• Difficulty sleeping
• Dry or itchy skin
• Eye irritation
• Headache
• Heart burn or indigestion
• Loss of appetite or decreased appetite
• Mild nausea or stomach upset
• Mild diarrhea
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness