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Xeloda (capecitabine)

Xeloda is an oral chemotherapy drug.  Once absorbed, it is metabolized by the liver and becomes exactly 5-FU.  Therefore, it has all of the effects and side effects of 5-FU in addition to a few of its own.  Xeloda is most commonly used in treatment of the following cancers:

• Colon

• Breast

It probably has similar efficacy to 5-FU in other cancers where 5-FU is active.  This drug is administered orally and is taken twice a day for 2 weeks followed one week of rest.  The three week cycles are repeated for as long as indicated.

Side effects:

5-FU binds to an enzyme inside of the cancer cells called Thymidilate Synthetase and thereby exerts its anti cancer effect on the cells.  Some patients have deficiency of an enzyme (DPD Deficiency) that is crucial for the metabolism and deactivation of 5-FU.  Such patients suffer from sever side effects with smallest doses  and often the very first dose of 5-FU or Xeloda.   

Following are some of the most common and important ill effects:

• Soreness of the mouth, difficulty swallowing

• Diarrhea

• Stomach pain

• Low white blood counts

• Low platelet counts

• Anemia

• Sensitive skin (to sun exposure) dark spots, darkening of skin color.

• Hand-Foot Syndrome  (pain and discomfort in hands and feet)

It is imperative that patients relay any side effects or problems to their medical oncologist.