About XELODA (capecitabine)

XELODA (zeh-LOE-duh) is a chemotherapy that's proven to fight certain types of cancer. XELODA is the first FDA-approved oral chemotherapy medication for the treatment of both metastatic breast and colorectal cancers. Unlike some other types of chemotherapy, XELODA can be taken by mouth. This means that patients who take XELODA may not have to go to their doctor's office or a clinic to get intravenous (IV) treatment. Some patients may still need other IV medicines as part of their cancer therapy. But with XELODA, there's 1 less medication they have to wait for.

What XELODA (capecitabine) is Used For

In patients with Breast Cancer, XELODA is used to treat:

• Breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, taken together with another medicine called Taxotere® (docetaxel).¹ This type of cancer is called metastatic breast cancer.
• Breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has not improved after treatment with other medicines. These include paclitaxel and anthracycline-containing medicines such as Adriamycin (doxorubicin)^2.

 

In patients with Colorectal Cancer, XELODA (capecitabine) is used to treat

1. Dukes' C (Stage III) colon cancer after surgery (called "adjuvant therapy")
2. Cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastatic colorectal cancer. You should know that in studies other medicines showed improved survival when they were taken together with 5-FU and leucovorin. In studies with XELODA, XELODA was no worse than 5-FU and leucovorin taken together. But it did not improve survival compared to these 2 medicines.

 

How XELODA (capecitabine) Works

The generic name for XELODA is capecitabine ("CAPE-site-ah-bean"). XELODA is a medicine you take by mouth (orally). XELODA is changed in the body to a substance called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In some patients with colon, rectum, or breast cancer, 5-FU stops cancer cells from growing and decreases the size of the tumor.
 
 

XELODA and Health Insurance Coverage

Most third-party payers, including HMO plans, managed care organizations, indemnity plans and others, provide coverage for XELODA. XELODA is also covered by Medicare.