Description
Xeloda 500mg (Capecitabine) Tablet
Xeloda 500 mg tablet contains capecitabine 500mg. It is a prescription anticancer medicine used to treat certain types of breast, colorectal, rectal, and other cancers.
In addition, capecitabine belongs to a group of medicines called antimetabolites. The body converts capecitabine into 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which helps slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
Important: Use Xeloda 500mg only under the supervision of an oncologist or other qualified healthcare professional.
U.S. Purchase & Regulatory Disclaimer
For U.S. customers, Xeloda 500mg is a prescription cancer medicine. Therefore, federal and state laws may affect the purchase, dispensing, importation, and use of prescription medicines.
However, the availability of a product on this website does not mean that the specific product or brand is authorized for sale or dispensing in every U.S. jurisdiction.
U.S. customers should consult a licensed healthcare professional and verify the product’s regulatory status, prescription requirements, and applicable legal requirements before purchasing.
Do not purchase or use this medicine without a valid prescription and appropriate medical advice.
Xeloda 500mg Product Information
| Product Name | Xeloda 500mg Tablet |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredient | Capecitabine 500mg |
| Drug Class | Antimetabolite |
| Dosage Form | Film-coated tablet |
| Strength | 500mg |
| Availability | Prescription medicine |
What Is Xeloda 500mg Used For?
Xeloda 500mg contains capecitabine. Doctors use capecitabine to treat certain types of cancer.
For example, U.S. prescribing information lists capecitabine for certain colorectal cancers and breast cancers. The FDA also lists specific uses for rectal, gastric, esophageal, gastroesophageal junction, and pancreatic cancers in appropriate treatment settings.
However, the appropriate treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer. Your oncologist will consider your medical history, previous treatment, and other medicines before selecting a treatment plan.
For related products, visit our cancer medicines category.
How does capecitabine 500 mg work?
Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy medicine.
After you take it, the body converts capecitabine into 5-fluorouracil. This active medicine can interfere with processes that cancer cells need to grow and multiply.
As a result, capecitabine can slow or stop the growth of certain cancer cells.
Therefore, doctors use capecitabine as part of specific cancer treatment plans rather than as a general medicine for every type of cancer.
How to Take Xeloda 500mg
Take Xeloda 500mg exactly as your doctor prescribes.
First, take capecitabine by mouth with water. MedlinePlus recommends taking it twice a day, about 12 hours apart, and within 30 minutes after a meal.
Next, swallow the tablets whole. Do not split, chew, or crush them.
In addition, try to take each dose at approximately the same time every day.
However, your exact dose and treatment schedule depend on your cancer, response to treatment, kidney function, and other medical factors.
Never change your dose without speaking with your healthcare professional.
For detailed U.S. patient information, read MedlinePlus – Capecitabine.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a capecitabine dose, do not take an extra dose to make up for it.
Instead, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal treatment schedule.
If you are unsure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
Important DPD and DPYD Safety Information
Capecitabine can cause serious or life-threatening reactions in people with complete DPD deficiency.
DPD is an enzyme that helps the body break down fluorouracil. Certain genetic changes in the DPYD gene can reduce DPD activity.
Therefore, the FDA recommends testing for relevant DPYD genetic variants before starting capecitabine unless immediate treatment is necessary.
In addition, doctors should avoid capecitabine in patients with certain genetic variants that cause complete DPD deficiency.
People with partial DPD deficiency may also face a higher risk of serious reactions. Your healthcare professional can discuss testing and treatment options with you.
Read the FDA safety information about capecitabine and DPD deficiency.
Possible Side Effects
Like other chemotherapy medicines, capecitabine can cause side effects. However, not everyone experiences the same effects.
Some commonly reported side effects include:
- Stomach discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Changes in taste
- Tiredness or weakness
- Headache
- Hair loss
- Skin rash
- Joint or muscle pain
- Sleep problems
In general, tell your doctor if these effects become severe or do not improve.
Serious Side Effects
Some reactions require prompt medical attention. Therefore, contact your healthcare professional immediately if you develop serious or unusual symptoms.
- Severe diarrhea
- Severe stomach pain
- Blood in the stool
- Severe mouth sores
- Blistering or peeling skin
- Severe redness or pain of the hands or feet
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Severe dizziness
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Dark urine
In addition, severe diarrhea, mouth sores, low blood counts, or neurological symptoms can occur with serious capecitabine toxicity.
Hand-Foot Syndrome
Capecitabine can cause a reaction known as hand-foot syndrome.
This reaction can cause redness, swelling, pain, tingling, or peeling on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
If these symptoms develop, tell your healthcare professional. Your doctor may adjust or pause treatment depending on the severity of the reaction.
Important Safety Information
Before starting capecitabine, tell your doctor about your medical history.
In particular, tell your healthcare professional if you have:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Previous reactions to fluorouracil
- Known or suspected DPD deficiency
Also, provide a complete list of your prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products.
This information helps your healthcare team identify possible interactions and treatment risks.
Capecitabine and Blood Thinners
Capecitabine can interact with certain blood-thinning medicines.
For example, the FDA warns about serious bleeding and changes in blood-clotting measurements when capecitabine is taken with oral vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin.
Therefore, tell your doctor if you take warfarin or another blood thinner.
Your doctor may monitor your blood-clotting results more frequently and adjust treatment when necessary.
Capecitabine Drug Interactions
Capecitabine can interact with other medicines. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take.
This includes prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products.
In addition, tell your doctor if another healthcare professional starts a new medicine during your capecitabine treatment.
For more information, read MedlinePlus Capecitabine Drug Information.
Monitoring During Treatment
Your doctor will monitor your health throughout capecitabine treatment.
For example, your healthcare professional may check:
- Blood counts
- Kidney function
- Liver function
- Signs of dehydration
- Signs of infection
- Your response to treatment
Therefore, keep all medical appointments and laboratory tests.
In addition, tell your healthcare professional about new or worsening symptoms as soon as possible.
Capecitabine and Pregnancy
Capecitabine can harm a developing fetus.
Therefore, tell your healthcare professional if you or your partner is pregnant or plans to become pregnant.
In addition, people who can become pregnant may need a pregnancy test before treatment and effective birth control during treatment and for a period after the final dose.
People who can father a child should also follow their healthcare professional’s contraception advice during treatment and after the final dose.
Ask your doctor about the appropriate contraception and pregnancy precautions for your situation.
Breastfeeding
Capecitabine can pass into breast milk and may harm a breastfed infant.
Therefore, do not breastfeed during treatment and for the period recommended by your healthcare professional after the final dose.
FDA Information About Xeloda
The FDA lists XELODA (capecitabine) tablets as a prescription medicine. The current U.S. labeling lists 150mg and 500mg tablet strengths.
In addition, the FDA’s current labeling includes important warnings about DPD deficiency, bleeding with certain blood thinners, cardiotoxicity, diarrhea, dehydration, and kidney-related risks.
However, you should always check the current product labeling because FDA information can change as new safety information becomes available.
For official U.S. information, review the FDA Xeloda Prescribing Information.
You can also search the FDA Drugs@FDA database for current regulatory information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Xeloda 500mg?
Xeloda 500mg is a tablet containing capecitabine 500mg. In general, doctors use capecitabine as part of treatment for certain cancers.
What is Xeloda 500mg used for?
Doctors use capecitabine for certain breast, colorectal, rectal, and other cancers. However, the exact indication depends on the patient’s cancer and treatment plan.
How should Xeloda 500mg be taken?
Take capecitabine exactly as prescribed. Normally, patients take it twice daily, within 30 minutes after a meal.
Can Xeloda 500mg be taken on an empty stomach?
Capecitabine should normally be taken within 30 minutes after a meal. Therefore, follow the meal instructions provided by your healthcare professional.
Can Xeloda 500mg tablets be crushed?
No. Instead, swallow the tablets whole with water. Crushing or splitting the tablets can increase exposure to the medicine.
What happens if I vomit after taking capecitabine?
Do not take another dose after vomiting unless your healthcare professional specifically instructs you to do so. Instead, continue your regular dosing schedule and contact your healthcare team if you need advice.
Does Xeloda require a prescription?
Yes. Xeloda and capecitabine are prescription cancer medicines. Therefore, patients should use them under appropriate medical supervision.
What is DPD deficiency?
DPD deficiency occurs when the body has reduced activity of an enzyme that helps break down fluorouracil. As a result, people with complete DPD deficiency can face a higher risk of serious or life-threatening capecitabine toxicity.
Therefore, ask your healthcare professional about DPYD testing before starting treatment.
Related Medic
Trusted U.S. Medical Resources
- MedlinePlus – Capecitabine
- FDA – Xeloda Prescribing Information
- FDA – Capecitabine and DPD Deficiency Safety Update
- FDA – Drugs@FDA
- FDA – MedWatch
Important U.S. Customer Notice
If you live in the United States, check all applicable prescription, importation, dispensing, and state requirements before purchasing this medicine.
Furthermore, product availability on this website does not guarantee that the product can legally enter, be dispensed, or be used in every U.S. jurisdiction.
In addition, this website does not provide medical diagnosis or treatment. U.S. customers should consult a licensed healthcare professional before purchasing or using prescription medicines.
Finally, the customer is responsible for complying with applicable laws and regulations.
Important Information
This information provides general educational and product information only. It does not replace advice from an oncologist, doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare professional.
Xeloda 500mg is a prescription cancer medicine. Therefore, always follow your healthcare professional’s treatment plan and check the current product labeling before use.
Finally, do not use this information to diagnose, treat, or manage a medical condition without professional medical advice.
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