Capecitabine 500mg Tablet: Effective Cancer Treatment

Uses:

• Adjuvant colon cancer;
• Metastatic colorectal cancer;
• Metastatic breast cancer.

Active ingredient: Capecitabine.

Category: Antimetabolites.

Mechanism of action:

• Capecitaris 500mg Tablet stops the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting DNA synthesis.
• It gets converted into its active form called fluorouracil and interferes with cell signalling, preventing the multiplication of cancer cells.

Administration:

• Take the tablet as prescribed by your doctor, within thirty minutes after finishing a meal.
• Do not crush or chew the tablet.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can if it is within 12 hours of the missed dose. If it is over 12 hours, skip the missed dose and go back to your usual dosing times.

Safety advice:

• Pregnancy: not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause fetal harm.
• Breast feeding: consult your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you receive this drug.
• Lungs: consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.
• Liver: inform your doctor if you have any liver disorders before taking Capecitaris 500mg Tablet.
• Alcohol: consult your doctor for more advice.
• Driving: Capecitaris 500mg Tablet may cause drowsiness which can affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Side effects:

• Serious: severe bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, heart problems, loss of too much body fluid, kidney failure, serious skin and mouth reactions, hand and foot syndrome, liver problems, decreased blood count.
• Common: loss of appetite, weight loss, insomnia, depression, headache, dizziness, eye irritation, redness, increased tears, inflammation of veins, runny nose, fever, infections, hair loss, pain in joints, back, dry mouth, indigestion, constipation.

Warnings:

• Capecitaris 500mg Tablet is not recommended for children and adolescents.
• Before taking this medicine, ask for physician advice if you are intolerant to sugars as this chemotherapy medication contains lactose.
• This drug will not be given if you have low white blood cell or platelet count, chickenpox, shingles, or enzyme DPD deficiency (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase).

Storage:

• Store Capecad 500mg in the original package at room temperature (20°C to 25°C). Do not freeze.
• Keep it out of reach from children and pets.

FAQs:

1. Is Capecitaris 500mg Tablet prescribed as a monotherapy?

• Capecitaris 500mg Tablet is prescribed as a monotherapy and also in combination with other anticancer agents like Docetaxel and Oxaliplatin to treat breast and colorectal cancer respectively.

2. What tests are essential before starting treatment with a Capecitaris 500mg Tablet?

• Before starting treatment, your healthcare provider will recommend tests for pregnancy, DPD deficiency (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase), prothrombin time, INR, kidney function tests and serum electrolytes.

3. Is it safe to undergo surgery during the treatment with a Capecitaris 500mg Tablet?

• It is suggested to avoid planning for surgery while on treatment with a Capecitaris 500mg Tablet. Tell your physician before you undergo surgery or dental procedures.

4. What should you do if you missed a 500mg capsule?

• If you missed taking a 500mg capsule, skip this dose. Do not take two tablets to make up for the missed dose. Report to your healthcare provider right away if you missed taking more than two doses of Capecitaris 500mg Tablet.

5. Who should not take Capecitaris 500mg Tablet?

• Capecitaris 500mg Tablet is not recommended for people who are allergic to Capecitabine and its other ingredients. It is also contraindicated in people with severe kidney disease and DPD deficiency (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase).

6. Can you smoke while on treatment with a Capecitaris 500mg Tablet?

• It is not recommended to smoke cigarettes while on treatment with Capecitaris 500mg Tablet as smoking can reduce the concentration of Capecitaris 500mg Tablet in the body.

7. How do you know if you have overdosed on Capecitaris 500mg Tablet?

• Watch out for symptoms like nausea, gastric irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding and seek immediate medical attention from a nearby healthcare facility.

Tags: capecitabine, cancer-treatment, medication, chemotherapy, tablets