Many patients diagnosed with cancer have questions about their treatment. Here you'll find helpful answers to
common patient questions about XELODA. There are also answers to questions about the treatment of Breast
and Colorectal Cancer. Just select a category from the list below
This site summarizes the most important information about XELODA. If you would like more information, talk with
your doctor. Your doctor should always be your first choice for detailed information about your medical
condition and this medicine. You can also ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about XELODA that is
written for health professionals.
Visit our Resource Center for free brochures and other information you can download and print.
About XELODA
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What is XELODA?
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What is XELODA used to treat?
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How does XELODA work?
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How can I find out if XELODA may be right for me?
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Who makes XELODA?
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How long has XELODA been available?
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Is XELODA being used to treat other types of cancer?
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Can XELODA be used in combination with other drugs?
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Will XELODA be covered by my health insurance?
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Is there a generic version of XELODA available?
About Taking XELODA
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Who should not take XELODA?
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How should I take XELODA?
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What should I do if I miss a dose of XELODA?
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What if I take too much XELODA?
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How long will I need to take XELODA?
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Can I have sex while taking XELODA?
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Can I breast feed my child while taking XELODA?
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What should I tell my doctor before taking XELODA?
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How should I store XELODA?
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Can I take XELODA to treat other conditions?
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Can I give XELODA to someone else to treat his/her cancer?
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What if someone else takes my XELODA Tablets?
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Can I get some help with taking my XELODA therapy?
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About the Side Effects of XELODA
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What are the most common side effects of XELODA?
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What should I do if I experience a side effect?
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When do I need to contact my doctor?
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Is there a support program available for patients who take XELODA?
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Q: What is XELODA?
A: XELODA (zeh-LOE-duh) is a medicine you take by mouth (orally). XELODA is used to treat specific types of cancer.
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Q: What is XELODA used to treat?
A: XELODA is used to treat specific types of cancer
In patients with Breast Cancer, XELODA is used to treat:
- Breast Cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. In this case, XELODA is taken
with another medicine Taxotere® (docetaxel).
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 such as paclitaxel
and anthracycline-containing medicine such as Adriamycin® (doxorubicin)
In patients with Colorectal Cancer, XELODA is used to treat:
- Dukes' C (Stage III) Colon Cancer after surgery (called "adjuvant therapy")
- 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 two medicines.
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Q: How does XELODA work?
A: 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.
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Q: How can I find out if XELODA may be right for me?
A: Take the "
Is XELODA Right for me?" questionnaire and share the results with your doctor.
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Q: Who makes XELODA?
A: XELODA is manufactured by Roche Laboratories Inc. Visit
www.rocheusa.com for more information.
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Q: How long has XELODA been available?
A: XELODA has been on the market since 1998, when it was the first oral chemotherapy approved by the
FDA for the treatment of metastatic Breast Cancer. In 2001, it became the first oral chemotherapy approved
for the treatment of metastatic Colorectal Cancer. It received FDA approval for the treatment of Dukes' C
(Stage III) Colon Cancer in 2005.
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Q: Is XELODA being used to treat other types of cancer?
A: XELODA is being studied as a potential treatment for other types of cancer. But right now it is approved only for
the treatment of metastatic Breast and Colorectal Cancers and Dukes' C (Stage III) Colon Cancer.
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Q: Can XELODA be used in combination with other drugs?
A: XELODA is approved to be taken along with Taxotere® (docetaxel) in metastatic Breast Cancer. There are studies under way to see
how XELODA works with other drugs and in other cancers.
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Q: Will XELODA be covered by my health insurance?
A: XELODA is covered by most third-party payers. It is also covered by Medicare
Part B.
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Q: Is there a generic version of XELODA available?
A: No. XELODA is a branded prescription medicine. Currently, there is no oral generic version of XELODA. If someone tries to offer
you generic XELODA be sure to contact your doctor and/or local authorities right away. It is most likely a counterfeit product and
it may be dangerous.
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Q: Who should not take XELODA?
A: You should not take XELODA if you:
- are nursing a baby. Tell your doctor if you are nursing.
XELODA may pass to the baby in your milk and harm the baby
- are allergic to 5-fluorouracil
- are allergic to capecitabine ingredients
- have been told that you lack the enzyme DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase)
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Q: How should I take XELODA?
A: Take XELODA exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your doctor will prescribe a dose and treatment plan that is right for you. Your
doctor may ask you to take various combinations of both 150 mg and 500 mg tablets together for each dose. You need to know what
each type of tablet looks like. Taking the wrong tablets could cause an overdose (too much medicine) or an underdose (too little
medicine).
- Take XELODA tablets in the combination prescribed by your doctor for your morning and evening doses
- Take the tablets within 30 minutes after the end of a meal (breakfast and dinner)
- Swallow XELODA Tablets with water.
Always be sure to take XELODA exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
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Q: What should I do if I miss a dose of XELODA?
A: If you miss a dose of XELODA:
- Do not take the missed dose at all
- Do not double the next dose
- Continue your regular dosing schedule and check with your doctor
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Q: What if I take too much XELODA?
A: If you take too much XELODA, contact your doctor or local poison control center or emergency room right away.
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Q: How long will I need to take XELODA?
A: XELODA is usually taken for 14 days. This is followed by a 7-day rest period (no drug). Together this is called a 21-day cycle.
However, your doctor is the best person to tell you how many days you have to take XELODA and how many cycles of treatment you will need.
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Q: Can I have sex while taking XELODA?
A: Yes. Women should not become pregnant while taking XELODA. XELODA may harm your unborn child. Use effective birth control
while taking XELODA. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant. Men should use birth control while taking XELODA.
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Q: Can I breast feed my child while taking XELODA?
A: Do not breast feed while taking XELODA. XELODA may pass through your milk and harm your baby.
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Q: What should I tell my doctor before taking XELODA?
A: Tell your doctor if you:
- take a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®). This is very important because XELODA may increase the effect of medicines used to thin your blood. If you are taking blood thinners and XELODA, your doctor needs to know. That's because XELODA may increase the effect of this medicine and could lead to serious side effects. If you are taking XELODA along with a blood thinner, your doctor needs to check more often how fast your blood clots. Your doctor will adjust your dose of the blood thinner if needed.
- take phenytoin (Dilantin®). Your doctor needs to test the levels of phenytoin in your blood more often or change your dose of phenytoin.
- are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. XELODA may harm your unborn child.
- have kidney problems. Your doctor may prescribe a different medicine or lower the XELODA dose.
- have liver problems. You may need to be checked for liver problems while you take XELODA.
- have heart problems because you could have more side effects related to your heart.
- take the vitamin, folic acid. It may affect how XELODA works.
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Q: How should I store XELODA?
A: Store XELODA at normal room temperature (about 65° to 85° F). Keep XELODA and all other medicines out of the reach
of children.
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Q: Can I take XELODA to treat other conditions?
A: Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets.
Only use XELODA to treat the condition it was prescribed to treat.
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Q: Can I give XELODA to someone else to treat his/her cancer?
A: Do not give XELODA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. A doctor
should always be involved in the choice of whether or not to use a prescription medicine.
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Q: What if someone else takes my XELODA Tablets?
A: Never share XELODA with anyone. If someone else swallows your XELODA by accident, call your doctor, local poison control center,
or emergency room right away.
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Q: Can I get some help with taking my XELODA therapy?
A: People taking XELODA have a convenient, no-cost place to turn for additional support. The Moving Forward with XELODA program is a personalized,
confidential support program just for XELODA patients. It is run by an independent company and funded by Roche, the makers of
XELODA. Moving Forward with XELODA puts patients in touch with an Oncology nurse, who is trained to provide information about your XELODA therapy and
keeps in contact with your doctor to stay on top of your current treatment plan. Remember, your doctor should always be your
first choice for detailed information about your condition and treatment.
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Q: What are the most common side effects of XELODA?
A: Like all chemotherapy treatments, XELODA has certain side effects. For some people, milder side effects may suddenly become
severe. However, the side effects of XELODA can be generally managed and often reversed if you act quickly. In clinical studies,
XELODA was generally tolerated well by patients.
The most common side effects of XELODA are:
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- sores in the mouth and throat (stomatitis)
- stomach area pain (abdominal pain)
- upset stomach
- constipation
- loss of appetite
- too much water loss from the body (dehydration)
The following side effects are equally common in all patients:
- Hand-and-Foot Syndrome (pain, swelling or redness of your hands or feet that prevents normal activity)
- rash
- dry, itchy or discolored skin
- nail problems
- hair loss
- tiredness
- weakness
- dizziness
- headache
- fever
- trouble sleeping
- taste problems
- pain (including chest, back, joint, and muscle pain)
These side effects may differ when taking XELODA with Taxotere® (docetaxel) . Please consult your doctor for possible side effects that may be
caused by taking XELODA with Taxotere.
If you are concerned about these or any other side effects while taking XELODA, talk to your doctor.
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Q: What should I do if I experience a side effect?
A: Many of the side effects of XELODA can be managed and often reversed if you act quickly. If you have side effects, contact your
treatment team for suggestions or see tips for controlling the side effects of XELODA. Ask your doctor about enrolling in the Moving Forward with XELODA
Program for more help with managing side effects.
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Q: When do I need to contact my doctor?
A: It is important to STOP your XELODA therapy and call your nurse or doctor if:
- You have pain, redness, swelling or sores in your mouth
- You have pain, swelling or redness of your hands or feet that prevents normal activity
- You have an additional 4 bowel movements each day beyond what is normal or any diarrhea at night
- You vomit more than once in a 24-hour time period or you lose your appetite, and the amount of food you eat each day is much less than usual
- You have a temperature of 100.5°F or greater, or other signs of infection
If you have these side effects, do not continue to take XELODA until you have talked to your doctor.
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Q: Is there a support program available for patients who take XELODA?
A: People taking XELODA have a convenient, no-cost place to turn for additional support. The Moving Forward with XELODA program is a personalized,
confidential support program. It is run by an independent company and funded by Roche, the makers of XELODA. Moving Forward with XELODA puts patients
in touch with an Oncology nurse, who is trained to provide information about your XELODA therapy and keeps in contact with your
doctor to stay on top of your current treatment plan. Remember, your doctor should always be your first choice for detailed
information about your condition and treatment.
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