Xelabine (Capecitabine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Xelabine Used For?
Xelabine contains capecitabine, which belongs to a group of cancer-fighting medicines called anti-neoplastic medicines. Your body converts capecitabine into 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which works to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells.
Primary Uses
Xelabine is used to treat cancer of the bowel and rectum (colorectal cancer), breast cancer, and cancer of the stomach and food pipe (esophageal cancer). It may be prescribed alone or combined with other cancer treatments like chemotherapy.
How It Works
The active ingredient capecitabine is converted in your body by the liver and cancer cells into a medicine called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). It is this 5-FU that actually works to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells.
Good to know: Xelabine is not addictive and is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Xelabine
Take Xelabine exactly as your doctor tells you. Your doctor will calculate your dose based on your height and weight and may adjust it depending on your illness and response to treatment.
Dosage Instructions
Take your medicine twice each day (morning and evening) at the same times for best effect. Take it with food – no later than 30 minutes after eating. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not chew the tablets. Treatment typically consists of 21-day cycles, often with 14 days of taking Xelabine followed by 7 days of rest, though some cycles may be continuous for 21 days.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose, as this may increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose – this increases the risk of side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- nausea
- fatigue or tiredness
- skin rashes, dry, itchy or red skin
- abdominal pain
- fever
- constipation
- headache
- dizziness
- loss of appetite, weight loss
- hair loss
- eye watering or irritation
- indigestion or gas
- dry mouth, thirst, dehydration
- sore mouth, mouth ulcers
- nail disorders
- sore throat, cough, nose bleeds
- shortness of breath
- redness or swelling of hands and/or feet
- tingling or numbness of hands or feet
- altered sense of taste
- muscle and joint pain
- difficulty sleeping
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- severe diarrhea with more than 4 bowel movements each day
- nausea that has significantly reduced appetite
- vomiting more than once in 24 hours
- pain, redness and/or swelling of hands and/or feet affecting normal activities (hand-foot syndrome)
- pain, redness, swelling or ulcers in the mouth
- passing little or no urine (kidney problems)
- chest pain
- irregular heartbeat
- confusion, disorientation or memory loss
- changes in movement, walking or talking
- poor balance or lack of coordination
- decreased strength or progressive weakness
- blurred or loss of vision
- numbness or weakness of arms and/or legs
- signs of infection (swelling, redness, increased temperature)
- signs of liver disease (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- blood in feces
- severe blisters and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose, or genitals
- severe skin reaction with painful red areas, large blisters, and peeling skin with fever and chills
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Xelabine should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Xelabine
Do not take Xelabine if you are allergic to capecitabine, fluorouracil (5-FU), or other fluoropyrimidine medicines. Do not take if you have severe kidney disease, known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency, or are taking sorivudine or brivudine (medicines for viral infections like shingles or cold sores – taking these with Xelabine is potentially fatal). Do not give to children under 18 years.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, coronary artery disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or are dehydrated. Signs of dehydration include dry skin, dark colored urine, thirst, weakness, fatigue, or loss of appetite.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Xelabine if you are pregnant as it may affect your developing baby. Your doctor may advise you to avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. Do not breastfeed while taking Xelabine as it is not known whether the medicine passes into breast milk.
Elderly Patients: If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects. A lower dose may be given to elderly patients taking Xelabine with other cancer medicines.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Xelabine and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- warfarin (blood thinner)
- phenytoin (for seizures, epilepsy, heart irregularities)
- leucovorin/folinic acid (for folic acid deficient anemia)
- antacids (for heartburn or indigestion)
- sorivudine and brivudine (potentially fatal interaction)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with activities that require alertness until you know how Xelabine affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking Xelabine.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Xelabine affects you, as it may cause dizziness, fatigue, or other side effects that could impair your ability to drive safely.
Storage
Keep Xelabine below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Keep tablets in the pack until it’s time to take them – if you remove them from the pack, they may not keep well. Store in a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above ground, away from children. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Xelabine, urgent medical attention is needed. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort. Signs of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Xelabine treatment varies depending on your illness and individual response. Treatment consists of cycles that usually last 21 days, with your doctor determining how many cycles you’ll need.
Yes, you should take Xelabine with food. Take it no later than 30 minutes after eating for best results.
No, Xelabine is not addictive. It is a cancer treatment medication that is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
Skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose, as this may increase your risk of side effects.
Do not stop taking Xelabine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor first. Your doctor needs to monitor your progress and may need to treat any side effects before stopping treatment.
Call your doctor right away if you develop severe diarrhea (more than 4 bowel movements daily), significant nausea affecting appetite, vomiting more than once in 24 hours, hand-foot syndrome, or mouth sores that affect normal activities.
Yes, but elderly patients over 65 may have an increased chance of side effects. The same dose is recommended for elderly patients taking Xelabine alone, but a lower dose may be given when combined with other cancer medicines.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.