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Xeloda is a prescription cancer medication that contains the active ingredient capecitabine. It is a type of chemotherapy taken by mouth and is used to treat certain colorectal and breast cancers.
Unlike chemotherapy that is given through an intravenous line, Xeloda is taken as tablets. However, it is still a powerful cancer treatment and must be used under the close supervision of an oncology healthcare team.
Xeloda may be used to treat colorectal cancer, including certain cancers of the colon or rectum.
For people with stage III colon cancer, Xeloda may be given after surgery as adjuvant therapy. Stage III means that the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but has not spread to distant parts of the body.
Surgery may remove all visible cancer, but very small cancer cells can sometimes remain in the body. These cells may be too small to detect with scans or laboratory tests.
Adjuvant treatment with Xeloda is intended to destroy remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk that the cancer will return.
Depending on the patient’s condition and treatment plan, Xeloda may be used alone or together with other chemotherapy medications.
Xeloda may also be used to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastatic colorectal cancer.
In this setting, treatment may help:
The expected benefit depends on several factors, including where the cancer has spread, previous treatments, overall health, and how the cancer responds to chemotherapy.
Xeloda may be prescribed for metastatic breast cancer, which means the cancer has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to another part of the body.
Common areas of spread may include the bones, liver, lungs, or brain.
Xeloda may be used when breast cancer has continued to grow or has returned after treatment with other chemotherapy medicines. These may include taxanes, such as paclitaxel, and anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin.
It may be given alone or combined with another cancer medication, depending on the type of breast cancer, previous treatments, and the patient’s overall condition.
The goals of Xeloda treatment depend on the type and stage of cancer.
When it is used after colon cancer surgery, the goal may be to reduce the chance of the cancer returning.
When it is used for metastatic cancer, the main goals may be to control the disease, slow tumour growth, reduce symptoms, and help the patient maintain daily functioning and quality of life.
Xeloda does not work the same way for every patient. The healthcare team will regularly assess whether the treatment is providing enough benefit.
Xeloda belongs to a group of cancer medications called fluoropyrimidine analogues or antimetabolites.
Capecitabine itself is considered a prodrug. This means it is not fully active when it is first swallowed. After absorption, enzymes in the body gradually convert it into an active chemotherapy medication called fluorouracil, also known as 5-FU.
This conversion takes place through several steps, with the final step occurring to a greater extent in some tumour tissues.
Cancer cells grow and divide rapidly. To do this, they must continuously produce new DNA and RNA.
DNA contains the genetic instructions cells need to grow and reproduce. RNA helps cells use these instructions to make proteins.
After capecitabine is converted into fluorouracil, the active medication interferes with enzymes and building blocks involved in DNA and RNA production.
This prevents cancer cells from copying their genetic material properly. As a result, the cells may stop growing, become damaged, or die.
Xeloda is designed to target rapidly dividing cancer cells, but it can also affect healthy cells that grow and replace themselves quickly.
These include cells in the:
This effect on healthy cells is why Xeloda may cause side effects such as diarrhoea, mouth sores, tiredness, changes in blood-cell counts, and hand-foot syndrome.
Hand-foot syndrome is a well-known side effect of capecitabine. It may cause redness, tenderness, swelling, tingling, numbness, dryness, peeling, or pain in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Symptoms can become severe and interfere with walking, holding objects, or completing everyday activities.
Patients should report symptoms early because the healthcare provider may recommend supportive care, a temporary treatment break, or a dose adjustment.
Xeloda is often taken in treatment cycles. A cycle includes a period when the tablets are taken, followed by a rest period when no tablets are taken.
The rest period gives healthy cells time to recover before the next cycle begins.
The exact schedule depends on the type of cancer, whether Xeloda is used alone or with another medication, and how well the patient tolerates treatment.
Patients must follow the treatment calendar carefully and should not take extra tablets during the rest period.
Regular medical appointments and laboratory tests are needed while taking Xeloda.
The healthcare team may monitor:
Scans, physical examinations, and tumour-marker tests may also be used to evaluate whether the cancer is responding.
The dose of Xeloda may need to be reduced or temporarily stopped if the patient develops significant side effects.
A dose adjustment does not necessarily mean that the treatment has failed. It may help make treatment safer and allow the patient to continue receiving therapy.
Dose changes may be required for severe diarrhoea, vomiting, mouth sores, hand-foot syndrome, low blood-cell counts, kidney problems, or other serious reactions.
Xeloda should be taken exactly as prescribed. Taking too much may cause severe or life-threatening side effects, while missing doses or taking the medication incorrectly may reduce its effectiveness.
Patients should not change their dose, repeat a missed dose, or stop treatment without speaking with their oncology team.
Because Xeloda is chemotherapy, the tablets should be handled carefully. Other people should avoid touching broken or crushed tablets unless they are wearing appropriate protective gloves.
Xeloda may help eliminate remaining cancer cells after surgery or control advanced cancer, but it does not guarantee that the cancer will not return or continue to progress.
The expected outcome depends on the cancer type, stage, tumour characteristics, previous treatments, overall health, and response to therapy.
The healthcare team will regularly review the benefits and risks to decide whether Xeloda should be continued, adjusted, combined with another medication, or replaced with a different treatment.
Xeloda is available as a tablet taken by mouth. It is usually taken twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart, according to the schedule provided by your oncology team.
Take each dose within 30 minutes after finishing a meal, usually after breakfast and dinner. Swallow the tablets whole with water. Do not crush, chew, cut, or split them unless your healthcare provider or pharmacist specifically tells you it is safe.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have difficulty swallowing the tablets. Do not change how you take Xeloda or attempt to dissolve or crush the tablets on your own.
Take Xeloda exactly as prescribed. Do not take a larger dose, take it more frequently, or continue it longer than directed. Taking more medication will not make the cancer respond faster and can greatly increase the risk of serious side effects.
Xeloda is commonly taken in treatment cycles. A cycle usually includes a period of treatment followed by a rest period that allows healthy cells time to recover.
One commonly used schedule is:
Your schedule may be different when Xeloda is combined with other cancer treatments or radiation therapy.
The dose of capecitabine is individualized for each patient. It is commonly calculated according to body surface area, which is measured in square metres and is based on height and weight.
The healthcare team may also consider:
The calculated dose may require a combination of different tablet strengths.
When Xeloda is used alone for certain colorectal or metastatic breast cancers, a commonly recommended dose is 1,250 mg per square metre of body surface area, taken twice daily for 14 days. This is followed by a 7-day rest period, creating a 21-day treatment cycle.
The same general schedule may be used as adjuvant treatment after surgery for certain patients with stage III colon cancer.
When Xeloda is combined with another cancer medication, the dose may be lower. For some combination regimens, a dose of approximately 1,000 mg per square metre twice daily may be given for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle.
The exact dose and schedule depend on the other medications included in the treatment plan.
When capecitabine is given at the same time as radiation therapy, a different schedule may be used. One commonly used dose is 825 mg per square metre twice daily on the days specified by the oncology team.
Patients should follow the radiation and medication calendar carefully because treatment may not be required every day.
Your oncology team may reduce your dose, delay the next cycle, or temporarily stop Xeloda if you develop significant side effects. This may be necessary if you experience:
A dose reduction does not necessarily mean the treatment is ineffective. Adjustments are often made to improve safety and help patients continue treatment.
The correct dose and treatment schedule vary considerably between patients. Always follow the personalised instructions and treatment calendar provided by your oncology team.
Do not calculate your own dose, repeat a missed dose, or restart treatment after a break without medical advice.
Xeloda (Capecitabine) is available in the following forms and strengths:
Xeloda may lower the number of infection-fighting blood cells in your body, making it easier to develop an infection or allowing an existing infection to become worse.
Try to avoid close contact with people who have contagious illnesses, such as chickenpox, measles, or influenza. Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you develop signs of infection, including fever, chills, sore throat, persistent cough, or unusual weakness.
If you miss a dose of Xeloda, do not take the missed dose later and do not take two doses at the same time. Skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time.
Tell your oncology team about the missed dose and follow any additional instructions they provide.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of heart disease before starting Xeloda. Capecitabine may cause or worsen heart-related problems, particularly in people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
Possible complications may include chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, reduced blood flow to the heart, or heart failure. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or swelling in the legs or feet.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of Xeloda and may have a greater risk of serious side effects.
These may include:
The oncology team may monitor older patients more closely and adjust the dose if necessary.
Xeloda has a boxed warning about its interaction with certain blood-thinning medications, particularly warfarin and similar anticoagulants. Taking these medications together may significantly increase the risk of serious or life-threatening bleeding.
Tell your healthcare provider if you take a blood thinner. More frequent blood tests and dose adjustments may be required.
Seek prompt medical attention if you notice unusual bruising, prolonged bleeding, frequent nosebleeds, blood in the urine, red or black stools, coughing up blood, or vomiting material that resembles coffee grounds.
Take Xeloda within 30 minutes after finishing a meal, usually after breakfast and dinner. Swallow the tablets whole with water.
Taking Xeloda after food helps the body absorb the medication consistently and may reduce stomach-related side effects. Follow the exact dosing schedule provided by your oncology team.
Many people can remain sexually active during treatment with Xeloda, but it is important to discuss this with your oncology team. Cancer treatment may cause tiredness, nausea, pain, vaginal dryness, erectile difficulties, or a reduced interest in sex. Use reliable contraception during treatment because Xeloda can harm a developing baby. Your healthcare provider can explain how long contraception should be continued after the final dose. In some situations, barrier protection may also be recommended to reduce a partner’s exposure to the medication through body fluids.
Food affects how quickly and consistently the body absorbs Xeloda. Take each dose within 30 minutes after finishing a meal, usually after breakfast and dinner. Taking Xeloda in the same way each day helps maintain more consistent medication levels. Swallow the tablets whole with water and follow the schedule provided by your oncology team.
The length of treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, the treatment goal, whether Xeloda is combined with other therapies, how well the cancer responds, and which side effects develop. Some patients receive a planned number of treatment cycles, while others continue treatment for as long as it remains effective and tolerable. Your oncology team will use blood tests, scans, physical examinations, and side-effect assessments to decide whether treatment should continue, pause, or change. Do not stop taking Xeloda or begin a new treatment cycle without instructions from your oncology team.
| Generic name: | Capecitabine |
|---|---|
| Formulation: | Tablet |
| Strength(s): | 150mg, 500mg |
| Quantities Available: | 60, 120, 360 |
Our online Canadian Pharmacy is known for high standards of quality, safety, and efficiency when it comes to medications.
Our pharmacy offers lower prices on prescription drugs compared to traditional pharmacies.
When ordering Xeloda (capecitabine) from a pharmacy, you can typically purchase up to a 90-day supply at one time, which is common for prescription medications to ensure adequate management of chronic conditions without frequent refills.
Here’s what you need to know:
Dosage and Quantity: Xeloda is available in 150 mg and 500 mg tablets and is usually prescribed to be taken twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period.
For a 90-day supply, this means you would order 112 tablets depending on the prescribed strength (2 tablets/day × 14 days = 28 tablets per cycle; 90 days ፥ 21 days (3-week cycle) = approximately 4 cycles; 4 cycles × 28 tablets per cycle = 112 tablets).
Yes, we sell capecitabine! You can enjoy competitive prices on this medication by ordering from our website. To place an order, you will need a valid prescription from your healthcare provider, as we require this to dispense the medication safely and accurately. You can conveniently submit your prescription by mail, fax, or by uploading it through your online account.
Yes, we ship Xeloda (capecitabine) to both the United States and Puerto Rico.
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Online Pharmacies Canada has provided information from third parties intended to increase awareness and does not contain all the information about Xeloda (Capecitabine). Talk to your doctor or other qualified medical practitioners for medical attention or advice, or if you have any concerns about Xeloda (Capecitabine).
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