It is made by Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc.
Specific uses of the drug include the treatment of:
- Colon cancer after surgery.
- Colon or rectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic colorectal cancer).
- Breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer) -- this is treated with a combination of Xeloda and docetaxel (Taxotere®).
- Metastatic breast cancer in people who have not improved after treatment with other medicines, including paclitaxel (Onxol®, Taxol®) and anthracycline chemotherapy medications, or for those who cannot take any more anthracycline medications.
(Click Xeloda Uses for more information on what the drug is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
Xeloda is a unique chemotherapy medication. In the body, it is transformed into 5-FU (fluorouracil). Fluorouracil is a chemotherapy medication that is administered intravenously (through an IV). Fluorouracil cannot be given by mouth because it does not absorb well from the digestive tract into the body. Xeloda was developed as a way for fluorouracil to be given orally. When Xeloda is taken by mouth, it is easily absorbed into the body. The body then transforms Xeloda to fluorouracil, providing all the benefits of fluorouracil without the need of an IV.
Fluorouracil works in at least two different ways. Fluorouracil interferes with a cell's ability to make new DNA (molecules that contain the cell's genetic information). In order to multiply, cells need to make new DNA. By interfering with DNA production, fluorouracil stops cells from multiplying. Enzymes in cells also mistakenly use fluorouracil when building important parts of the cell that are responsible for making proteins (which causes these parts to stop functioning).
Together, these two actions can cause permanent damage to cells, including healthy noncancerous cells. However, cancer cells divide more rapidly, producing more DNA and proteins, and are therefore more affected by Xeloda. Also, cancer cells often have higher levels of the enzyme that transforms Xeloda into fluorouracil, which helps Xeloda to have a greater effect in cancer cells compared to normal cells.
Several studies have looked at the effects of Xeloda for colorectal or
breast cancer.
One study looked at Xeloda for the adjuvant treatment of
colon cancer that had spread to at least one lymph node. Adjuvant therapy for
colon cancer is treatment that follows
colon cancer surgery (with or without radiation). It is given to help prevent the cancer from returning. These studies compared Xeloda to a combination of fluorouracil and leucovorin. After three years, up to 66 percent of those taking Xeloda remained cancer-free, compared to 62.9 percent of those taking the fluorouracil and leucovorin combination.
Studies have also shown that Xeloda is better than fluorouracil plus leucovorin for metastatic
colorectal cancer (colon cancer or
rectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body). More cancers responded to Xeloda than fluorouracin/leucovorin.
One study looked at adding Xeloda to
docetaxel (
Taxotere) for people with metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) who had already tried other chemotherapy medications called anthracyclines. This study showed that adding Xeloda increased the time to progression. "Time to progression" is a medical term that means from the time that the cancer is treated until the disease starts to get worse, such as when the cancer spreads (metastasizes) or the tumor increases in size. Also, those taking Xeloda and docetaxel survived an average of 442 days, compared to 352 days for those just taking docetaxel.
Another study looked at using Xeloda alone to treat breast cancer in people who had not responded to
paclitaxel (Onxol,
Taxol) and an anthracycline chemotherapy medication. In this study, it caused significant shrinking of the cancer in at least 25.6 percent of people.
When and How to Take Xeloda
Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- Xeloda comes in tablet form and is taken by mouth twice a day for two weeks, followed by a one-week break.
- It should be taken within 30 minutes after a meal.
- It should be taken at the same times each day to maintain an even level of the medication in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Xeloda. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of Xeloda include, but are not limited to:
(Click Xeloda Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider. You can also read about possible side effects by going to:
Drug Interactions With Xeloda
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
- Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
- Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Xeloda may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Bone marrow depression (a decrease in bone marrow's ability to make blood cells).
Xeloda should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Store the tablets in an airtight container.
Keep Xeloda and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Xeloda?
If you do not take your dose as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of Xeloda.
Xeloda tablets are available in two strengths:
- Xeloda 150 mg tablets
- Xeloda 500 mg tablets.
Is There a Generic Version of Xeloda?
Currently, there is no generic Xeloda licensed for sale
(see Generic Xeloda).
