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Distamine 500mg Capsule
Prescription Required
Salt Composition : Capecitabine
Manufacturer : NEON LABORATORIES LTD
Origin of Medicine : India
10 Capsule(s) In A Strip
Introduction to Distamine 500mg Capsule
Distamine 500mg capsule contains the active ingredient Capecitabine. It belongs to the category of medicines known as antimetabolites. This medication is used in combination with other anticancer drugs for the treatment of Metastatic colorectal cancer and breast cancer. Cancer is a disease in which cells multiply in an abnormal and uncontrolled manner. It is also used for the prevention of new occurrences of cancer in the colon after the complete removal of the tumor by surgery.
The common side effects that are likely to occur with this medicine are loss of appetite, headache, runny nose, fever, hair loss, and dry mouth. During the treatment, your doctor may periodically monitor your complete blood counts, prothrombin time, INR, to prevent serious complications. Report to your doctor if you have been diagnosed with stomach ulcers, cataract, lung disease, problems in your heart, liver, skin, kidneys. Tell your physician before you undergo eye surgery or dental procedures. Inform your doctor if you have experienced any allergic or unusual reactions after taking this tablet. This medicine can cause fertility issues, inform your doctor about any fertility concerns you may have before starting treatment with this medicine.
Distamine 500mg capsule is not recommended for children and adolescents. Before taking this medicine, ask for physician advice if you are intolerant to sugars as this chemotherapy medication contains lactose. This drug will not be given if you have low white blood cell or platelet count, chickenpox, shingles, or enzyme DPD deficiency (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase). Take this medicine within thirty minutes after finishing a meal. This drug can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman
Uses of Distamine 500mg Capsule
Distamine 500mg is used to treat,
- Adjuvant colon cancer
- Metastatic colorectal cancer
- Metastatic breast cancer
Therapeutic Effects of Distamine 500mg Capsule
Distamine 500mg is prescribed alone and also in combination with other anticancer medications like Docetaxel and Oxaliplatin. It stops the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting DNA synthesis. This drug gets converted into its active form called fluorouracil and interferes with cell signalling, ultimately preventing the multiplication of cancer cells.
Interaction of Distamine 500mg Capsule with other drugs
Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications may interact with Distamine 500mg capsule and reduce effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.
More Information about Distamine 500mg Capsule
- Store Distamine 500mg capsule in the original package at room temperature (20°C to 25°C). Do not freeze.
- Keep it out of reach from children and pets.
- It is important to get the dose at the scheduled time. If you missed the schedule, contact your doctor and reschedule the dose.
How to consume Distamine 500mg Capsule
Take a Distamine 500mg capsule as prescribed by your doctor. Do not crush or chew the capsule. If you miss a dose of this capsule, take it as soon as you can if it is within 12 hours of the missed dose. If it is over 12 hours since your missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your usual dosing times to avoid taking double doses. Call your doctor to ask about making up the missed dose.
Safety Advices for Distamine 500mg Capsule
Pregnancy
Distamine 500mg capsule is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause fetal harm.
Breast Feeding
It is not known if Distamine 500mg passes into your breast milk or if it will affect your baby or your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you receive this drug.
Lungs
It is not known whether Distamine 500mg can be prescribed to patients with lung problems. Consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.
Liver
Inform your doctor if you have any liver disorders before taking Distamine 500mg. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is recommended.
Alcohol
It is unknown whether consuming alcohol interacts with Distamine 500mg. Please consult your doctor for more advice.
Driving
Distamine 500mg capsule may cause drowsiness which can affect the patient’s ability to drive or use machines. Consult your doctor before you resume driving.
Side Effects of Distamine 500mg Capsule
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all medicines cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Serious
- Severe bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain
- Heart problems (chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling faint, irregular heartbeat, sudden weight gain)
- Loss of too much body fluid, kidney failure
- Serious skin and mouth reactions (skin peeling, blisters)
- Hand and foot syndrome (swelling, changes in sensation of hands and feet)
- Liver problems
- Decreased blood count
Common
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Insomnia, depression
- Headache, dizziness
- Eye irritation, redness, increased tears
- Inflammation of veins
- Runny nose, fever
- Infections
- Hair loss
- Pain in joints, back
- Dry mouth, indigestion
- Constipation
Word of Advice
Distamine 500mg capsule causes skin dryness so it is advised to use an effective moisturizer for your skin. Ensure that you stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet. Store the drug in the original package at room temperature (25°C). Do not freeze. Keep it out of reach from children and pets. It is important to get the dose at the scheduled time. If you missed the schedule, contact your doctor and reschedule the dose. Avoid driving or operating heavy machines if you experience dizziness, nausea, or tiredness while on treatment with this drug.
FAQs
Q 1. Is Distamine 500mg prescribed as a monotherapy?
Distamine 500mg is prescribed as a monotherapy and also in combination with other anticancer agents like Docetaxel and Oxaliplatin to treat breast and colorectal cancer respectively.
Q 2. What tests are essential before starting treatment with Distamine 500mg?
Before starting treatment with Distamine 500mg, your healthcare provider will recommend tests for pregnancy, DPD deficiency (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase), prothrombin time, INR, kidney function tests and serum electrolytes.
Q 3. Is it safe to undergo a surgery during the treatment with Distamine 500mg?
It is suggested to avoid planning for surgery while on treatment with Distamine 500mg. Tell your physician before you undergo surgery or dental procedures.
Q 4. What should you do if you missed a dose of Distamine 500mg?
If you missed taking a dose of Distamine 500mg capsule, skip this dose. Do not take two capsules to make up for the missed dose. Report to your healthcare provider right away if you missed taking more than two doses of this drug.
Q 5. Who should not take Distamine 500mg?
Distamine 500mg is not recommended for people who are allergic to this drug, 5-fluorouracil and their ingredients. It is also contraindicated in people with severe kidney disease and DPD deficiency (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase).
Q 6. Can you smoke while on treatment with Distamine 500mg?
It is not recommended to smoke cigarettes while on treatment with Distamine 500mg as smoking can reduce the concentration of drug in the body.
Q 7. How do you know if you have overdosed on Distamine 500mg?
Watch out for symptoms like nausea, gastric irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding and seek immediate medical attention from a nearby healthcare facility.
Fact Box of Distamine 500mg Capsule
Molecule name: Capecitabine | Therapeutic class: Anti-metabolite |
Pharmacological class: Nucleoside metabolic inhibitor | Indications:
|
References
- Morningside Healthcare Ltd, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on Feb 2021] [ Accessed on 9th March 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.11498.pdf
- Genentech USA, Inc, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on March 2015] [ Accessed on 9th March 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/020896s037lbl.pdf
- KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 864.
- Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Cytotoxic agents, 12th edition, 2011, 1698.
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