Capecitabine

When should one not use Capecitabine

• If you are allergic to capecitabine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
• If you previously have had severe reactions to fluoropyrimidine therapy (a group of anticancer medicines such as fluorouracil).
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• If you have severely low levels of white cells or platelets in the blood (leucopenia, neutropenia or thrombocytopenia).
• If you have severe liver or kidney problems.
• If you know that you do not have any activity of the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) (complete DPD deficiency).
• If you are being treated now or have been treated in the last 4 weeks with brivudine as part of herpes zoster (chickenpox or shingles) therapy.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomatitis
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Asthenia
• Hand-foot syndrome (redness, peeling or pain on the palms and soles)

Other General Warnings

• You know that you or your family member have a partial deficiency in the activity of the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD)
• You have liver or kidney diseases
• You have or had heart problems (for example an irregular heartbeat or pains to the chest, jaw and back brought on by physical effort and due to problems with the blood flow to the heart)
• You have brain diseases (for example, cancer that has spread to the brain, or nerve damage (neuropathy))
• You have calcium imbalances (seen in blood tests)
• You have diabetes
• You cannot keep food or water in your body because of severe nausea and vomiting
• You have diarrhoea
• You are or become dehydrated
• You have imbalances of ions in your blood (electrolyte imbalances, seen in tests)
• You have a history of eye problems as you may need extra monitoring of your eyes
• You have a severe skin reaction.
• Do not give Capecitabine to children and adolescents.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way Capecitabine works, or Capecitabine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
• Tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements, or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
• You must not take brivudine (an anti-viral medicine for the treatment of shingles or chickenpox) at the same time as Capecitabine.

Interactions with food items

• Take Capecitabine within 30 minutes after a meal to reduce stomach upset.
• Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as it may affect how the medicine is absorbed.
• Limit alcohol intake, as it can worsen side effects like nausea, vomiting, and liver stress.
• Maintain a light, balanced diet to help manage diarrhoea, nausea, or loss of appetite.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Overdose

Missed a Dose