Contact your advice line if you have diarrhoea, such as if you've had 4 or more loose watery poos (stools) in 24 hours. Copyright 1996-2021 Cerner Multum, Inc. My beloved Xeloda. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. Chemotherapy can cause it, obviously. But bear in mind that these drugs can also produce side effects. Since your mother had severe side effects with her regimen (xeloda + camptosar), shifting to another regimen (5fu + oxaliplatin) is a reasonable option. This treatment might harm a baby developing in the womb. For example, you may take capecitabine every day for 2 weeks. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Xeloda (capecitabine) is a pill, so it's easy to take and is "much less toxic" than standard chemotherapy, noted Malamud, who was not involved in the new research. Other drugs may interact with capecitabine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Your doctor or nurse will tell you what moisturiser to use. You may need frequent medical tests to be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects. Skip Navigation. When breast cancer spreads to the brain it is considered stage 4 or metastatic breast cancer. In the UK, live vaccines include rubella, mumps, measles, BCG, yellow fever and the shingles vaccine (Zostavax). Avoid close contact with people who have recently had live vaccines taken by mouth (oral vaccines) such as the oral typhoid vaccine. If you … Both Tykerb and Xeloda are pills taken by mouth. Talk to your doctor before starting treatment if you think you may want to have a baby in the future. How capecitabine works . Then have a week with no treatment. But the chemo brain is the worst I’ve experienced. She wants to know if Xeloda can work on anal cancer and if it gives you the kind of chemo brain fog you get from standard chemo? Or if it carries on for more than 3 days. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with Xeloda. You then start the next cycle. If experienced, these tend to have a Severe expression 1. If you have an intolerance to lactose, contact your doctor before taking this medicine. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. Whether you have a full or an empty stomach can affect how much of a drug gets into your bloodstream. Don’t have immunisations with live vaccines while you’re having treatment and for up to 12 months afterwards. Note: This document contains side effect information about capecitabine. For further information about this treatment go to the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry. While it is no longer curable at this stage, it is treatable, and treatments may improve symptoms, help with quality of life, and sometimes extend survival.2 When breast cancer metastasizes to the brain it is still breast cancer. Last updated on June 17, 2019. Version: 7.03. You might have it as a treatment for a number of different types of cancer. Prolonged illness can lead to dehydration or kidney failure. Arimidex, Keytruda, fluorouracil, capecitabine, Ibrance, Femara, Avastin, pembrolizumab, Faslodex, Herceptin. During chemo treatment I made a big effort to stay happy—I attended meditation class with one of my daughters, I went to the gym even though I couldn’t do much exercise, and I kept my brain as sharp as I could by writing blogs and exams for my colleagues (I was a long-time business school professor at Hofstra and just recently retired). Speak to your pharmacist if you have problems swallowing the tablets. Hi Alice, After 5 rounds of Folfox I was taken off it and put on Xeloda only. Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us. Rated for Breast Cancer Report . Stomach Cramps 6. Advertisement. Between 2 and 8 out of 100 people (2 to 8%) have low levels of an enzyme called DPD in their bodies. They check your levels of blood cells and other substances in the blood. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Painful, Red Or Swollen Mouth 5. Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Don't push yourself, rest when you start to feel tired and ask others for help. Ask to speak with a patient assistance technician or financial counselor at the clinic or … Xeloda is only part of a treatment program that may also include other medications taken on different schedules. Well it should be said essentials are amazing.but certain care must be takin when using them during chemo and radiation.if you need something to stop nausea you can inhale pepermint.ginger is good but may effect your clotting.you can not use essential oils after two days before chemo treatments.and you must wait 9 days after … How you have it . I lose words mid-sentence. The treatment goal of stage 4 cancer is palliation, not cure. The feedback is from individual patients. Talk to your doctor or nurse about effective contraception before starting treatment. Low Energy 4. Talk to your specialist or advice line before you stop taking a cancer drug. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Xeloda. Xeloda and Avastin for maintenance in colon cancer – pro History of maintenance in colon cancer is several years old. Xeloda (capecitabine) is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body. This drug contains lactose (milk sugar). In Summary. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Do not use Xeloda if you are pregnant. Immunisation against infectious disease: Chapter 6: General contraindications to vaccination But these services are not available in every hospital, so you would need to ask your doctor about this. We haven't listed all the side effects. It is not information, or specialist medical advice, from Cancer Research UK. Capecitabine comes as a tablet that you swallow whole, with plenty of water. You might lose your appetite for various reasons when you are having cancer treatment. But so can the cancer itself or even secondary medical conditions. Anemia 2. The skin on your hands and feet may become sore, red, or may peel. They can check the cause and give you medicine to help. You should not take Xeloda if you have severe kidney disease or a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency. ; It may sometimes be used to treat other cancers. Brand name: Xeloda Chemical name: Capecitabine Class: Antimetabolite chemotherapy.Fluorouracil, Gemzar, and methotrexate are other antimetabolites.. How it works: Antimetabolites kill cancer cells by acting as false building blocks in a cancer cell's genes, causing the cancer cell to die as it gets ready to divide. Your user session will expire in 2 minutes. You should not take Xeloda if you are allergic to capecitabine or fluorouracil (Adrucil), or if you have: a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency. This includes vitamins, herbal supplements and over the counter remedies. Uses: Xeloda often is used in combination with other … It is not known whether capecitabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. So you can talk to your doctor about dealing with the side effects. How Xeloda (capecitabine) chemotherapy works, side effects, interactions and precautions. The clinic providing treatment will likely pre-authorize medications and immune therapies such as Capecitabine (Xeloda®) + Oxaliplatin and are the best source to help you understand drug cost. Xeloda is only part of a treatment program that may also … These patients "have to work harder," Dr. Ganz said. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 6 Jan 2021), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Jan 2021), ASHP (updated 6 Jan 2021) and others. NHI US National Library of Medicine, Accessed August 2019. Capecitabine is a type of chemotherapy called an anti metabolite. Throwing Up 7. Men might be able to store sperm before starting treatment. Xeloda didn't give me any major side effects except for the occasional palpitations. You might also feel feverish and your eyes may be more sensitive to light. Decreased Neutrophils A Type Of White Blood Cell 4. If you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven), you may need to have more frequent "INR" or prothrombin time tests. This is called hand-foot syndrome or palmar plantar syndrome. Xeloda is given in a 3-week treatment cycle, and you may only need to take the medicine during the first 2 weeks of each cycle. It is best to read this information with our general information about chemotherapy and the type of cancer you have.. If this isn't possible, wash your hands well after changing their nappy. A drug called Xeloda can extend the lives of some women whose breast cancer is not wiped out by standard treatment, a new clinical trial finds. Babies have the live rotavirus vaccine. Each cycle is usually over 3 weeks. Feeling or being sick can be severe. To stay logged in, please refresh the page or, if you are working on a form, click on the submit button to save your work. This is because the drug may come through into your breast milk. You might have one or more of them. Xeloda is taken every day, twice a day, 4 pills each time, for two weeks straight, then one week off. In addition to metastatic breast cancer, Xeloda is used to treat metastatic colon, rectal, … It can start a few hours after treatment and last for a few days. Your doctor may give you anti diarrhoea medicine to take home with you after treatment. Moisturise your skin regularly. Capecitabine (Xeloda ®) is used to treat:. She had this neuropathy even before the cancer. Contact your advice line or your doctor or nurse immediately if you have signs of infection, such as a temperature above 37.5C or below 36C, or if you develop a severe skin reaction. Common side effects of Xeloda include: anemia, diarrhea, hyperbilirubinemia, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, increased serum transaminases, nausea, neutropenia, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, paresthesia, … If you have had no response from treatment with anthracyclines, your doctor may instead recommend that you take Xeloda and Taxotere. Get free tools to track your health. Tingling, Pain, Redness And Edema Of Hands And Feet If experienced, these tend to have a Less Severe expression 1. This is for 2 weeks following their vaccination. You should take the right dose, no more or less. Anti-sickness injections and tablets can control it. How it works. Mouth sores and ulcers can be painful. Signs of a severe skin reaction include peeling or blistering of the skin. Capecitabine (Xeloda, Hoffmann–La Roche), an oral prodrug of fluorouracil, has been shown to be efficacious as adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The brain is one of the more common sites to which breast cancer spreads, along with the bones, lungs, and liver. Always tell other doctors, nurses, pharmacists or dentists that you’re having this treatment if you need treatment for anything else, including teeth problems. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Or if you can't drink to replace the lost fluid. They include: Tiredness and weakness (fatigue) can happen during and after treatment - doing gentle exercises each day can keep your energy up. Capecitabine is a type of chemotherapy called an anti metabolite. You can report any side effect you have to the Medicines Health and Regulatory Authority (MHRA) as part of their Yellow Card Scheme. About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Could Xeloda be an option for her? Mostly fatigue and chemo brain. severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling. If you have already been treated with Taxol (paclitaxel) and Adriamycin (doxorubicin) for stage 4 (metastatic) breast cancer and had no response, your doctor may recommend that you take Xeloda by itself. So the combination of Tykerb and Xeloda may delay the need for brain radiation in some women. Cancer cells need to make and repair DNA so they can grow and multiply. Eat less fibre, avoid raw fruits, fruit juice, cereals and vegetables, and drink plenty to replace the fluid lost. I don't have neuropathy yet so it is correct when they say chemo affects everyone differently. Available for Android and iOS devices. Feel Like Throwing Up 2. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. breast; colon; rectal; stomach; oesophageal; and pancreatic cancers. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are taking Xeloda, whether you are a man or a woman. Since your mother had severe side effects with her regimen (xeloda + camptosar), shifting to another regimen (5fu + oxaliplatin) is a reasonable option. And women might be able to store eggs or ovarian tissue. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Xeloda only for the indication prescribed. I … Xeloda is usually taken twice per day. "Often they'll get the answer right on a neuropsychology test, but it takes much more effort for them to come up with that," than people who haven't been exposed to treatment. You might have one or more of them. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. We value your privacy. Recently, there have been more treatment studies to see if brain games and neuro-feedback might help chemobrain. I had such a hard time with the Folfox that I really never knew if my chemo brain and horrid fatigue was from it or the Xeloda or maybe/probably a combo of all.I know for sure that the foot problems were from Xeloda but that can be managed usually. She already has neuropathy in her hands and feet and very cold hands and feet as well. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Xeloda: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Find everything you need to know about Xeloda, including what it is used for, warnings, reviews, side effects, and interactions. We know it’s a worrying time for people with cancer, we have information to help. Contact your doctor or nurse straight away if you’ve been sick more than once in a day. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information -. I am on cyclophosphomide, another oral drug, and the longer I am on it, the more side effects I have, like chemo brain if you haven't discovered that one yet. Combining Puma Biotechnology’s candidate therapy PB272, also known as neratinib, with the chemotherapy drug Xeloda (capecitabine) appears to have therapeutic potential for patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer and brain metastasis, who were not previously treated with Tykerb (lapatinib), a clinical study reports. It is important not to become pregnant or father a child while you're having treatment and for 6 months afterwards. You may need frequent medical tests for a short time after you stop using this medicine. nausea, loss of appetite, eating much less than usual, vomiting (more than once in 24 hours); severe diarrhea (more than 4 times per day, or during the night); blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing; pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, blistering, or peeling skin on your hands or feet; dehydration symptoms - feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin; heart problems - chest pain or pressure, uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling or rapid weight gain; kidney problems - little or no urinating; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; feeling tired or short of breath; liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); low blood cell counts - fever or other flu symptoms, cough, skin sores, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling light-headed, rapid heart rate; or. iWantGreatCare lets patients leave feedback on their experience of taking a particular drug. Or if asked a question about something recent, it’s not uncommon for me to respond with, “I don’t know. ... Xeloda as a chemo prevention . Xeloda should be taken with food or within 30 minutes after eating a meal. Skin Inflammation The Xeloda has the mildest side effects of any chemo I’ve had so far. These side effects can rarely be life threatening. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. I took this orally at 4000 mg/day (four pills in the morning, four in the evening) for 16 months for breast cancer metastasis to my bones. For example, your side effects could be worse if you are also having other drugs or radiotherapy. Select one or more newsletters to continue. The good side is, as soon as you are done with chemo, they should go away. It could harm the unborn baby. Some people have severe side effects from capecitabine or fluorouracil even if they don't have low DPD levels. Generic Name: capecitabine (KAP e SYE ta been) Xeloda is used to treat colon cancer, and breast or colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you should avoid live vaccinations. You might have capecitabine as a course of several cycles of treatment. Muscle Pain 5. skin on your hands and feet may become sore, red, or may peel, Read more about how to cope with side effects, what dose of capecitabine you need to take, your side effects aren’t getting any better, low levels of white blood cells in your blood which can increase your risk of getting an infection, low levels of red blood cells in your blood (anaemia) that can cause breathlessness and looking pale, eye problems such as watery eyes and redness (conjunctivitis), hair loss that usually grows back once your chemotherapy treatment has finished, skin and nail problems such as skin rashes, dry skin, itching and brittle nails, liver changes that are usually very mild and unlikely to cause symptoms, an allergic reaction that can cause a rash, shortness of breath, redness or swelling of the face and dizziness, a drop in the number of platelets that can cause bruising, bleeding gums or nosebleeds, changes to how your heart works that can cause changes to your heart rhythm and swelling of your ankles, numbness or tingling in fingers and toes can make it difficult to do fiddly things such as doing up buttons, blood clots in the deep veins of your body, a severe skin reaction that may start as tender red patches which leads to peeling or blistering of the skin. Xeloda (Capecitabine) and External Beam Radiation The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Public Health England Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK, Questions about cancer? These side effects happen in between 1 and 10 out of every 100 people (1 to 10%). Your doctor or nurse will go through the possible side effects. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. chemo stopped and still in hospital....waiting for mri to brain....anyone else had dizzy spells /room spinning on xeloda advice and help would be appreciated many thanks. The fatigue isn’t even that bad. First published: March 2013 and regularly updated on the Gov.UK website, Capecitabine: risk of severe skin reactions - discontinue treatment, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, January 2014, Your Guide to Understanding Genetic Conditions - Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency The body changes capecitabine into a common chemotherapy drug called fluorouracil. They will monitor you closely during treatment and check how you are at your appointments. Mary Ann OMalley April 30, 2016 at 7:08 pm. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. These side effects happen in more than 10 in 100 people (10%). These chemotherapy drugs destroy quickly dividing cells, such as cancer cells. Capecitabine can pass into body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit). Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with Xeloda. First, Avastin was approved for second line therapy in previously Avastin naive patients and this was followed by data analyses that suggested … Low DPD levels don’t cause symptoms so you won’t know if you have a deficiency. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Brand Name: Xeloda. But bear in mind that these drugs can also produce side effects. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Capecitabine (Xeloda) Capecitabine (also known as Xeloda) is a type of chemotherapy. Xeloda is given in a 3-week treatment cycle, and you may only need to take the medicine during the first 2 weeks of each cycle. They include: These side effects happen in fewer than 1 in 100 people (1%). This risk is higher in adults older than 60. Xeloda can have long lasting effects on your body. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. You may also have tingling, numbness, pain and dryness. Tell your treatment team if you have this. Store Xeloda at room temperature away from moisture and heat. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. The body changes capecitabine into a common chemotherapy drug called fluorouracil. Wash ands before and after removing gloves. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Tell your doctor if a pregnancy occurs during treatment. It is very unlikely that you will have all of these side effects, but you might have some of them at the same time. A lack of DPD can mean you’re more likely to have severe side effects from capecitabine or fluorouracil. You take it twice a day, morning and evening. If your immune system is severely weakened, you should avoid contact with children who have had the flu vaccine as a nasal spray. It was DEFINITELY cumulative for me. They include: We have more information about side effects and tips on how to cope with them. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have difficulty swallowing. capecitabine (also called Xeloda) XELOX is a treatment for bowel cancer (colorectal cancer). Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Contact your advice line as soon as possible if: Early treatment can help manage side effects better. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, if you are unable to eat because of stomach illness, or if you are sweating more than usual. So weird. Xeloda is often used in combination with other cancer medications and/or radiation treatments. Learn more about Xeloda at EverydayHealth.com. Get someone else to change their nappies during this time if you can. You might have two different strengths of tablets to make up the correct dose. Sickness, taste changes or tiredness can put you off food and drinks. Chemo brain can also be called chemo fog, cancer-related cognitive impairment or cognitive dysfunction.Though chemo brain is a widely used term, the causes of concentration and memory problems aren't well-understood. Contact with others who have had immunisations - You can be in contact with other people who have had live vaccines as injections. Patients usually describe chemo brain as a foggy or slow feeling that makes it harder to process information. Contact your doctor or nurse if your side effects are severe. The treatment goal of stage 4 cancer is palliation, not cure. The length of time depends on the treatment you are having. Chemo brain is one side effect that many cancer patients report — and it’s a real, diagnosable condition. They also depend on what other treatment you are having. It stops cells making and repairing DNA. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you are taking. Or you may take capecitabine every day for a few months. You may not be able to become pregnant or father a child after treatment with this drug. Taking a blood thinner can increase your risk of severe bleeding while you are using Xeloda, and for a short time after you stop taking this medicine. You might have it as a treatment for a number of different types of cancer. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Cancer drugs can interact with some other medicines and herbal products. You have blood tests before and during your treatment. You must remain under the care of a doctor while you are taking Xeloda. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Xeloda.. Brain imaging studies have been done to measure blood flow and water diffusion in the brain before and after chemotherapy.