XELODA 500MG TABLET

Introduction:

Xeloda 500mg Tablet is a chemotherapy medication containing capecitabine. It is used to treat rectal, colon, gastric, and breast cancers. It is also used for the prevention of new occurrences of cancer in the colon after the complete removal of the tumor by surgery. Cancer is a disease in which cells multiply in an abnormal and uncontrolled manner. It can be used alone or in combination with other cancer medicines. Talk to your doctor if you have brain diseases, diabetes, eye problems, severe skin reaction, heart problems, kidney diseases, liver diseases, and imbalances in calcium. 

Xeloda 500mg Tablet is not recommended for children and adolescents. Ask for physician advice if you are intolerant to sugars as this chemotherapy medication contains lactose. You will not be given Xeloda 500mg Tablet 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.

Uses of Xeloda 500mg Tablet:

• Colon cancer
• Breast cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Gastric cancer

How Xeloda 500mg Tablet works:

Xeloda 500mg Tablet stops the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting the DNA synthesis.

Interactions with other drugs:

Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or have taken before the treatment.

More information:

• Keep out of sight and reach of children. 
• Do not store above 30°C.  

References:

1. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 864.
2. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Cytotoxic agents, 12th edition, 2011, 1698.
3. Morningside Healthcare Ltd, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on Feb 2021] [ Accessed on 7th May 2021], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.11498.pdf
4. Genentech USA, Inc, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on March 2015] [ Accessed on 7th May 2021], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/020896s037lbl.pdf

How to use Xeloda 500mg Tablet:

Take Xeloda 500mg Tablet in the dose and duration prescribed by your physician. Swallow the tablets with water as a whole. Do not chew or crush. Do not stop taking this medicine without medical advice from the doctor.

Safety advice:

Pregnancy:

You should not take Xeloda 500mg Tablet if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant before taking this medicine.

Breastfeeding:

You should not take Xeloda 500mg Tablet if you are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.

Liver:

Inform your doctor if you have any liver diseases.

Kidney:

Inform your doctor if you have any kidney diseases. 

Driving: 

This medicine may cause dizziness. Avoid driving if you are unwell.

Others:

• Inform your doctor if you have allergic conditions or other diseases.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all medicines cause side effects, not everyone gets them.

Serious: 

• Severe bloody diarrhea, 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