capecitabine at a glance
Medicine class
Fluoropyrimidine antimetabolite chemotherapy
Licensed roles
Selected colon, colorectal, advanced gastric and advanced breast cancers
Administration
Swallow whole with water within 30 minutes after a meal
Safety screening
DPD deficiency testing is required before treatment
What is capecitabine used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Treatment after surgery for stage III colon cancer
Metastatic colorectal cancer
Advanced gastric cancer
Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in specified circumstances
How does capecitabine work?
Capecitabine is converted through several steps into fluorouracil. Fluorouracil disrupts DNA production and RNA function, affecting rapidly dividing cells.
capecitabine preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 150 mg, 500 mg
How to take capecitabine
Follow the personalised instructions supplied by the oncology team.
Swallow the tablets whole with water within 30 minutes after finishing a meal.
Do not cut, crush or chew the tablets.
Ask the oncology pharmacist before using an alternative method if swallowing is difficult.
Wash your hands after handling and return unused tablets to the hospital pharmacy.
capecitabine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Sore mouth or mouth ulcers
- Redness, soreness, swelling or peeling of the hands and feet
- Tiredness or weakness
- Reduced appetite
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever or other signs of infection
- Severe diarrhoea, vomiting or dehydration
- Chest pain, abnormal heartbeat or breathlessness
- Painful blistering or ulceration of the hands or feet
- Extensive blistering or peeling skin
- Facial swelling or breathing difficulty
- Confusion, poor coordination or other marked neurological changes
capecitabine in pregnancy
Capecitabine is contraindicated during pregnancy because it may harm the developing baby. Pregnancy should be avoided during treatment and effective contraception is also required afterwards. Contact the oncology team promptly if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or think pregnancy may have occurred.
capecitabine while breastfeeding
Do not breastfeed during treatment because harm to a nursing infant cannot be excluded. The selected product information also advises avoiding breastfeeding for two weeks after the final dose.
capecitabine interactions
Give the oncology team a complete list of prescribed, non-prescription and complementary products.
Brivudine
Contraindicated because DPD inhibition can cause potentially fatal fluoropyrimidine toxicity.
Warfarin and other coumarin anticoagulants
May increase anticoagulant effect and bleeding risk, requiring close clotting-test monitoring and possible adjustment.
Phenytoin
Phenytoin concentrations may rise and cause toxicity; clinical and blood-level monitoring may be needed.
Common questions about capecitabine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is a DPD test needed before capecitabine?
Reduced DPD activity can allow fluorouracil to accumulate, greatly increasing the risk of severe or fatal toxicity. Complete DPD deficiency is a contraindication.
Can capecitabine tablets be cut or crushed?
No. Swallow them whole and contact the oncology pharmacist if swallowing is difficult.
What should I do if I vomit after taking capecitabine?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.