Understanding side effects of XELODA
What causes chemotherapy side effects?
Chemotherapy works by killing fast-growing cells — such as breast cancer or colorectal cancer cells. But cancer cells are not the only cells in your body that grow rapidly. Normal, fast-growing cells can also be damaged by chemotherapy, which can cause side effects.
Talking with your healthcare team about side effects
Your healthcare team can help you identify and manage any side effects you have with your XELODA treatment. It is important to report any side effects right away. Your team may adjust or interrupt your dose to help manage side effects. If your side effects are serious or concern you, stop taking XELODA immediately and call your healthcare team right away.
Learn about reporting side effects
Managing hand-and-foot syndrome
Many patients who take XELODA get hand-and-foot syndrome. If you have pain, swelling, or redness of your hands or feet that prevents normal activity, stop taking XELODA immediately and call your healthcare team right away. Your treatment with XELODA may need to be adjusted or interrupted to help manage hand-and-foot syndrome.
Learn more about managing hand-and-foot syndrome
Managing diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are common side effects of XELODA, and in some cases may be severe. They can be unpleasant and hard to deal with, but knowing what to expect and what to do can help you handle them.
Learn more about managing diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
Managing mouth sores
Mouth sores, or stomatitis, can form when cells in your mouth are damaged. They can be uncomfortable and painful and may make it hard to eat. Your healthcare team can give you tips to help you manage mouth sores and any other side effects you have with XELODA.
Learn more about managing mouth sores
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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