Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Xeloda
- Antineoplastics, Antimetabolite
Description
Antimetabolite antineoplastic agent; oral prodrug of fluorouracil
Used for the treatment of colorectal cancer and breast cancer
Has not been associated with alopecia, and myelosuppression is uncommon; hand-foot syndrome is dose-limiting
Indications
Indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to capecitabine or fluorouracil (5-FU)
Severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min)
Adverse Effects
- Varies with carcinoma type
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Anemia
- Lymphopenia
- Hand and foot syndrome
- Edema
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Pain
- Paresthesia
- Alopecia
- Dermatitis
- Abdominal pain
- Anorexia
- Appetite decreased
- Constipation
- Dyspepsia
- Stomatitis
- Vomiting
- Neutropenia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Dyspnea
- Bilirubin increased
- Eye irritation
Warnings
May result in bleeding, death; monitor anticoagulant response (eg, INR, PT) and adjust anticoagulant dose accordingly
Diarrhea may be severe; interrupt capecitabine treatment immediately until diarrhea resolves or decreases to grade 1; recommend standard antidiarrheal treatments
Cardiotoxicity observed, including MI/ischemia, angina, dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, sudden death, ECG changes, and cardiomyopathy; more common with history of coronary artery disease
Increased risk of severe or fatal adverse reactions in patients with low or absent dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity; withhold or permanently discontinue capecitabine in patients with evidence of acute early-onset or unusually severe toxicity, which may indicate near complete or total absence of DPD activity; no capecitabine dose has been proven safe in patients with absent DPD activity
Interrupt capecitabine treatment until dehydration is corrected; potential risk of acute renal failure secondary to dehydration; monitor and correct dehydration
Can cause fetal harm; advise women of the potential risk to the fetus
Pregnancy and Lactation
Based on findings in animal reproduction studies and its mechanism of action, fetal harm may occur when administered to pregnant females; limited available human data are not sufficient to inform drug-associated risk during pregnancy
Data are unavailable regarding presence in human milk, effects on milk production, or effects on breastfed infants
Maximum Dosage
2,500 mg/m2 PO total daily dose (1,250 mg/m2 PO administered twice daily) on days 1 to 14, every 21 days.
2,500 mg/m2 PO total daily dose (1,250 mg/m2 PO administered twice daily) on days 1 to 14, every 21 days.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Capecitabine
tablet
- 150mg
- 500mg