About capecitabine
Anticancer chemotherapy; antimetabolite
Used for
- Colorectal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Stomach and gastroesophageal junction cancers
Usual adult dose
Usually 1,000–1,250 mg/m² by mouth twice daily for 14 days, followed by 7 days off; regimen varies by cancer and combination.
Common side effects
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
- Hand-foot syndrome: redness, pain, or peeling
- Fatigue and mouth sores
- Low blood counts
Important warnings
- Can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, or hand-foot reactions.
- May cause serious or fatal harm in people with low or absent DPD enzyme activity.
- Blood tests and dose adjustments may be needed; kidney problems affect dosing.
- Seek urgent care for fever, chest pain, severe diarrhea, or unusual bleeding.
Pregnancy
Can harm an unborn baby. Avoid during pregnancy; effective contraception is advised during treatment and for six months afterward.
Breastfeeding
Do not breastfeed during treatment and for one week after the last dose.
Interactions
- Warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists: increased bleeding risk.
- Phenytoin: increased phenytoin levels and toxicity.
- Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium may alter capecitabine exposure.
- Other anticancer medicines or radiation may increase toxicity.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.