Capecitabine Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions ... - WebMD

Who should not use capecitabine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take capecitabine.

• Capecitabine
• Xeloda
• Fluorouracil
• Adrucil
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed  

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific capecitabine products they stock.

What should I know about capecitabine before using it?

Do not take capecitabine unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Take capecitabine within 30 minutes after finishing a meal.

Do not chew, cut, or crush capecitabine tablets. If you come into contact with crushed capecitabine tablets, you may have eye irritation and swelling, skin rash, a feeling of pins and needles in your hands, diarrhea or stomach upset, and other side effects. If you cannot swallow capecitabine tablets whole, tell your healthcare provider.

Do not share capecitabine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep capecitabine out of the reach of children.

If you take capecitabine with a blood thinner, such as warfarin, you may have a higher risk of severe bleeding, which can lead to death. This risk may be higher within a few days of starting capecitabine and for up to one month after stopping it. Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider, including appointments for bloodwork. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any changes in how easily you bruise or bleed. See the Interactions section for more details. 

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using capecitabine?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if capecitabine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

• Kidney or liver problems
• Heart problems, including heart disease

Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase (DPD) Deficiency. People who do not make enough of an enzyme called dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) are at higher risk of certain side effects of capecitabine. These side effects can include mouth or tongue sores, diarrhea, or problems with your nervous system. These side effects can happen early during treatment and can be serious and sometimes deadly. Tell your healthcare provider if you have DPD deficiency.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Capecitabine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking capecitabine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Capecitabine may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking capecitabine right away and contact your healthcare provider. If you can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while taking capecitabine and for six months after your last dose. If you are able to get a partner pregnant, you should use effective birth control while taking capecitabine and for three months after your last dose. 

Infertility. Capecitabine may cause fertility problems. Talk with your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.

Breastfeeding. Do not take capecitabine while you are breastfeeding and for one week after your last dose. It is not known if capecitabine passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop capecitabine.