Considering XELODA
Oral Chemotherapy for Cancer of the Colon after Surgery, Metastatic Breast and Colorectal Cancer
XELODA is the first FDA-approved oral chemotherapy for the treatment of both metastatic breast and colorectal cancers. That means it can be taken by mouth. XELODA has been proven to be effective at treating metastatic breast cancer and colorectal cancer in several clinical studies. It has also been shown to be generally tolerated well by patients.

The Benefits of an Oral Chemotherapy

Because XELODA can be taken by mouth, it can be more convenient than intravenous (IV) chemotherapy. IV therapy typically means a visit to your doctor's office, a clinic, or a hospital. With XELODA, you may be able to have fewer visits, or at least have each one take less time. Plus, you can take XELODA when you're at home, at work, or even while traveling. This can be more difficult with an IV chemotherapy.
 
For example, the Mayo Clinic's recommended schedule for treating colon cancer require up to 30 clinic visits over a 24-week treatment course. Patients taking XELODA (capecitabine) for colon cancer generally requires fewer clinic visits.
 
 

Learn More About XELODA

Is XELODA right for me? Click Here. This section of XELODA.com has information to help patients and their caregivers learn more About XELODA, how it works, and possible side effects. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare professional about your medical condition or your metastatic breast cancer and colorectal cancer treatment options. Use the information you find here to help plan your discussion about XELODA with your doctor.
 
Indications:
XELODA is used to treat:
 
Important Safety Information:
WARNING:
XELODA may increase the effect of other medicines used to thin your blood such as warfarin (COUMADIN®). It is very important that your doctor knows if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin because XELODA may increase the effect of this medicine and could lead to serious side effects. If you are taking blood thinners and XELODA, your doctor needs to check more often how fast your blood clots and change the dose of the blood thinner, if needed.
 
  • The most common side effects of XELODA are: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sores in the mouth and throat (stomatitis), stomach area pain (abdominal pain), upset stomach, constipation, loss of appetite, and too much water loss from the body (dehydration) (These side effects are more common in patients age 80 and older). Other common side effects are hand-and-foot syndrome (palms of the hands or soles of the feet tingle, become numb, painful, swollen or red); rash; dry, itchy or discolored skin; nail problems; hair loss; tiredness; weakness; dizziness; headache; fever; pain (including chest, back, joint and muscle pain); trouble sleeping; and taste problems. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems because you could have more side effects related to your heart.
     
    These side effects may differ when taking XELODA with docetaxel (TAXOTERE). Please consult your doctor for possible side effects that may be caused by taking XELODA with other therapies.
     
    If you are concerned about these or any other side effects while taking XELODA, talk to your doctor.

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  • Do not take XELODA if you are nursing a baby. Tell your doctor if you are nursing. XELODA may pass to the baby in your milk and harm the baby.
     
    Women should not become pregnant while taking XELODA. XELODA may harm your unborn child. Use effective birth control while taking XELODA. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant. Men should use birth control while taking XELODA.
     
    Do not take XELODA if you are allergic to 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine or any of the ingredients in XELODA. Do not take XELODA if you have been told that you lack the enzyme DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase).

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  • Stop taking XELODA immediately and contact your doctor right away if you have the side effects listed below or other side effects that concern you. Your doctor can then adjust XELODA to a dose that is right for you or stop your XELODA treatment for a while. This should help to reduce the side effects and stop them from getting worse.
    • - Diarrhea: if you have an additional 4 bowel movements each day beyond what is normal or any diarrhea at night
    • - Vomiting: if you vomit more than once in a 24-hour time period
    • - Nausea: if you lose your appetite, and the amount of food you eat each day is much less than usual
    • - Stomatitis: if you have pain, redness, swelling or sores in your mouth
    • - Hand-and-Foot Syndrome: if you have pain, swelling or redness of your hands or feet that prevents normal activity
    • - Fever or Infection: if you have a temperature of 100.5°F or greater or other signs of infection
Please be sure to talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your condition or treatment.
 
Please see accompanying patient information and complete Prescribing Information.
 
Adriamycin is a trademark of Pharmacia & Upjohn Company.
Coumadin is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
Taxol is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
Taxotere is a registered trademark of Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC.
 
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For more information about XELODA, contact your physician or other healthcare professional.