Treatment that lets you focus on what matters to you
From the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, your life is changed. You did not choose to have cancer, but you can choose how you live with it. Taking an active role in your treatment can help you feel more confident and in control. And being able to focus on the people and activities that you enjoy can help you stop feeling like "a patient" and more like yourself again.
When you are being treated for cancer, your healthcare team members are your primary sources of medical advice and support. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare team about your medical condition or treatment.
Reducing stress and anxiety
Coping with physical and emotional changes, waiting for test results, and not knowing what to expect can cause stress and anxiety. Learning about your cancer and its treatment can help you feel more in control.
Get more tips for reducing stress and anxiety
Coping with fear and uncertainty
The shock of diagnosis, concerns about the future, and fear that your cancer will get worse are all normal feelings. Talking with your healthcare team and joining a cancer support group can help you cope.
Get more tips for coping with fear and uncertainty
Coping with metastatic breast cancer
Learning that you have breast cancer, or that your breast cancer has spread or come back, can be overwhelming. Your healthcare team and the XELODA Support Program can help you cope and get the support you need.
Learn more about coping with metastatic breast cancer
Coping with colon and colorectal cancers
The physical and emotional issues of dealing with colon and colorectal cancer can be especially challenging. Having a strong network of treatment services and support will make it easier to cope.
Learn about coping with colon and colorectal cancers
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
During treatment, it is especially important to eat a healthy diet, stay active, and make time to do activities you enjoy. This will help boost your immune system and relieve stress.
Get tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Who is XELODA for?
XELODA is used to treat:
- Cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body.
This is called metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). XELODA is used as a single medicine to treat mCRC.
In medical studies, people lived longer when they took other cancer medicines at the same time that they took 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin. In medical studies, XELODA used as a single medicine was no worse than 5-FU and leucovorin taken together. XELODA did not improve survival compared with these 2 medicines.
- Cancer of the colon after surgery.
- Breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
This is called metastatic breast cancer (mBC). For this kind of breast cancer, XELODA is taken together with another medicine called docetaxel.
- Breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has not improved after treatment with other medicines. These medicines include paclitaxel and anthracycline-containing medicine such as doxorubicin.
What is the most important safety information I should know about XELODA?
It is very important that your doctor knows if you are taking a medicine used to thin your blood, such as warfarin (COUMADIN®). XELODA may increase the effect of this medicine. This 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. He or she will change the dose of the blood thinner, if needed.
Who should not take XELODA?
Do not take XELODA if:
- You are nursing a baby. XELODA may pass through your breast milk and to the baby and harm the baby
- You are allergic to the chemotherapy medicines 5-FU and capecitabine or to any of the ingredients in XELODA
- Your body doesn't have enough of the enzyme DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase)
What should I tell my doctor before taking XELODA?
Tell your doctor if you:
- Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. XELODA may harm your unborn child. Men and women should use effective birth control while taking XELODA
- Take a blood thinner, such as warfarin
- Take phenytoin (DILANTIN®)
- Have kidney, liver, or heart problems
- Take folic acid, a B complex vitamin, or a multivitamin containing folic acid
Stop taking XELODA immediately and contact your doctor right away if you have any of these serious common side effects or any other side effects that worry you:
- Diarrhea* — at least 4 more bowel movements each day than is normal for you or if you wake up because you need to have a bowel movement
- Throwing up (vomiting)* — more than once in 24 hours
- Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea)* — if you don't feel like eating and if the amount of food you eat each day is much less than usual
- Pain, redness, swelling, or sores in your mouth (stomatitis)*
- Hand-and-foot syndrome — pain, swelling, or redness of your hands or feet that prevents normal activity
- Fever or infection — a temperature of 100.5°F or higher or other signs of infection
If you do have any of the side effects listed above, or if you have other side effects that worry you, your doctor can change your dose of XELODA or stop your XELODA treatment for a while. This may help to reduce the side effects and stop them from getting worse.
What are the other common side effects of XELODA?
- Constipation*
- Loss of appetite*
- Stomach area pain* or upset stomach
- Too much water loss from the body (dehydration)*
- Rash or dry, itchy, discolored skin
- Nail problems
- Hair loss
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness or headache
- Pain, including chest, back, joint, or muscle pain
- Trouble sleeping
- Problems with your sense of taste
You may have different side effects if you take XELODA with docetaxel. Please talk with your doctor about possible side effects that may be caused by taking XELODA with other medicines.
Please be sure to talk with your doctor if you have any questions about your cancer or treatment.
Please see complete Prescribing Information.
Coumadin is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Dilantin is a registered trademark of Pfizer Inc.
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