Xeloda

Generic name:capecitabine [ KAP-e-SYE-ta-been ]
Drug class:Antimetabolites

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Jul 7, 2021.

What is Xeloda?

Xeloda is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.

Xeloda is used alone or in combination chemotherapy to treat colon cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer.

Xeloda is sometimes used when cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Warnings

You should not take Xeloda if you have severe kidney disease or a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency.

If you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven), you may need to have more frequent "INR" or prothrombin time tests. Taking a blood thinner can increase your risk of severe bleeding while you are using Xeloda, and for a short time after you stop taking this medicine. This risk is higher in adults older than 60.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Xeloda if you are allergic to capecitabine or fluorouracil, or if you have:

• severe kidney disease.

To make sure Xeloda is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency;

• liver or kidney disease;

• heart problems; or

• if you use a blood thinner and you have routine "INR" or prothrombin time tests.

Capecitabine can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using Xeloda...