What is Capecitabine
CapecitabineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryCapecitabine is a chemotherapy pill that is used to treat metastatic breast and colorectal cancers. It works by entering the tumor and being converted into an anti-metabolite called fluorouracil, which stops the growth of cancer cells by stopping the production of DNA.
Xelodais the brand name
Capecitabine Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Xeloda
Capecitabine
1998
59
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Capecitabine, otherwise known as Xeloda, is approved by the FDA for 10 uses including Stage III Colon Cancer and Colorectal Carcinoma .Stage III Colon Cancer
Used in combination with Peginterferon alfa-2a for Stage III Colon Cancer
Colorectal Carcinoma
Used to treat Unresectable or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in combination with null
Malignant Neoplasms
Used to treat Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer in combination with Docetaxel
Therapeutic procedure
Used to treat previous anthracycline treatment in combination with Docetaxel
disease progression after chemotherapy
Used to treat disease progression after chemotherapy in combination with Docetaxel
Pharmacotherapy
Used to treat Refractory to irinotecan-based chemotherapy in combination with Oxaliplatin
Duke's C Colon cancer
Colorectal Carcinoma
Used to treat refractory, metastatic Colorectal carcinoma in combination with Oxaliplatin
Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma
Metastatic Breast Cancer
Used to treat Metastatic Breast Cancer in combination with Docetaxel
Effectiveness
How Capecitabine Affects PatientsCapecitabine is a medicine used to treat certain types of cancer, such as metastatic breast cancer and colon cancer. It is taken orally, and is converted by enzymes in the body into a medication called fluorouracil. This medication then breaks down in both healthy and cancerous cells into two components, 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine 5′-monophosphate (FdUMP) and 5-fluorouridine triphosphate (FUTP).
How Capecitabine works in the bodyCapecitabine is a drug that is designed to target tumor cells. It is converted into a toxic form, fluorouracil, by an enzyme that is found in larger amounts in tumors than other tissue. The toxic form then works to inhibit the formation of necessary molecules for cell division. It also causes faulty RNA production, which further interferes with cell growth.
When to interrupt dosage
The recommended measure of Capecitabine is contingent upon the diagnosed affliction, such as Pancreatic Metastatic Cancer, Malignant Neoplasms and Esophageal Cancer. The quantity of dosage can be found in the table below, depending on the mode of delivery (e.g. Tablet or Tablet, film coated - Oral).Condition
Dosage
Administration
Stomach Cancer
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
refractory peritoneal cancer
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
Refractory Fallopian Tube Carcinoma
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
Colorectal Carcinoma
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
Pancreatic Metastatic Cancer
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
Pancreatic Endocrine Carcinoma
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
Esophageal Cancer
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
Duke's C Colon cancer
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
refractory Ovarian cancer
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
Metastatic Breast Cancer
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
Malignant Neoplasms
500.0 mg, , 150.0 mg, 300.0 mg
Tablet, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Oral, Tablet, film coated, , Tablet - Oral
Warnings
Capecitabine ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Anus Diseases
Do Not Combine
Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency
Do Not Combine
Anus Diseases
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Capecitabine may interact with Anus Diseases
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Capecitabine may interact with Anus Diseases
Common Capecitabine Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
2-Methoxyethanol
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Capecitabine is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Capecitabine is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Abetimus
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Capecitabine is combined with Abetimus.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Capecitabine is combined with Acteoside.
Aldosterone
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Capecitabine is combined with Aldosterone.
Capecitabine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Capecitabine?
337 active clinical trials are investigating the potential of Capecitabine to address Duke's C Colon cancer, Pancreatic Endocrine Carcinoma and refractory Peritoneal Carcinoma.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Esophageal Cancer
74 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Not Applicable, Phase 3
refractory Ovarian cancer
0 Actively Recruiting
Refractory Fallopian Tube Carcinoma
6 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Early Phase 1
Pancreatic Metastatic Cancer
29 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Not Applicable, Phase 3, Early Phase 1
Duke's C Colon cancer
0 Actively Recruiting
refractory peritoneal cancer
0 Actively Recruiting
Malignant Neoplasms
0 Actively Recruiting
Pancreatic Endocrine Carcinoma
12 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable
Colorectal Carcinoma
0 Actively Recruiting
Stomach Cancer
130 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 3, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma
24 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable
Metastatic Breast Cancer
82 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 1, Phase 4
Capecitabine Reviews: What are patients saying about Capecitabine?
5Patient Review
3/23/2019 I had some nausea when I started taking this drug, but it went away after a few doses. This is the fourth cancer drug I've tried, and I feel better on this one than all the others. Hopefully, it will keep me alive until another cure comes along.
5Patient Review
6/26/2022 So far, I've only experienced mild side-effects from this treatment. These include fatigue, weight gain, nausea, heartburn, dry eye, and swelling. I'm hoping that the cancer is gone after 9 cycles of this treatment.
5Patient Review
12/27/2011 My mother took this medication for two weeks and, unfortunately, had to be hospitalized due to severe diarrhea. I believe that this medicine ultimately caused her death.
4.7Patient Review
6/26/2015 I swapped to this treatment from FOLFIRI i.v. drugs, and I'm much happier with it. The main side effects are fatigue and nausea, but the fatigue is worse with the i.v. medications while the nausea seems worse with these pills (although that might just be because you have to take them for two weeks).
4.3Patient Review
1/8/2020 The only downside I experienced was with skin irritation on my hands and feet.
3.7Patient Review
5/12/2018 I experienced some vomiting when I first started taking these medication, but my doctor lowered the dose and increased my anti-nausea medication. After that, I was much better.
3Patient Review
6/20/20092.3Patient Review
2/2/2017 The generic from Mylan caused severe gastric pain and bloating after two days of use. Discontinued use and returned to Xeloda, which does not have this side effect. Maybe it was an allergic reaction to an inactive ingredient, but there is no way to find out for sure. As a result, I am now hesitant to try other generics.
1.3Patient Review
11/20/2015 My wife experienced terrible side effects from this medication. She was taking 500mg pills, twice a day. After just one week, her body started shutting down. She stopped eating and drinking and started vomiting uncontrollably for 30 minutes at a time. At the time, she was only 83 pounds and 4'11". Two months later, she passed away.
1Patient Review
1/31/2010Patient Q&A Section about capecitabine
What class of chemotherapy is capecitabine?
"They "trick" the cell into incorporating them into the cellular machinery in place of the normal substance.
Capecitabine is a type of chemotherapy that is called an antimetabolite. Antimetabolites are similar to normal substances within the cell. They "trick" the cell into incorporating them into the cellular machinery in place of the normal substance." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
How does capecitabine fight cancer?
"Capecitabine can be used to treat breast, colon, or [rectal cancer](https://www.withpower.com/clinical-trials/rectal-cancer) by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
What are side effects of capecitabine?
"The following are potential side effects: stomach pain, loss of fingerprints, numbness, pain, tingling, or other unusual sensations in the palms of the hands or bottoms of the feet, pain, blistering, peeling, redness, or swelling of the palms of the hands or bottoms of the feet." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
What is the success rate of capecitabine?
"Overall, 89% of patients taking capecitabine were still alive after 3 years, compared to 84% of patients in the control group. After 5 years, 89% of capecitabine patients were alive, compared to 83% of control patients." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer