Xeloda 500mg 120 pieces, Abacus Medicine A/S
Indication
The preparation belongs to the group of drugs called “cytostatics” that stop the growth of cancer cells. This medicine contains capecitabine, which itself is not a cytostatic. Capecitabine is only converted into an active cancer drug after it is absorbed into the body (mainly in tumor tissue).
The medicine is used to treat cancer of the colon, rectum, stomach or breast.
In addition, the preparation is used to prevent the recurrence of colon cancer after the tumor has been completely surgically removed.
The preparation can be used either alone or in combination with other medicines.
Contraindication
The medicine must not be taken
if you are allergic to capecitabine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. Therefore, you must inform your doctor if you know that you are allergic or hypersensitive to the product;
if you have ever had serious side effects from treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, a group of cancer medicines such as: B. Fluorouracil, had,
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding;
if you have seriously low levels of white blood cells or platelets (leukopenia, neutropenia or thrombocytopenia);
if you have severe liver or kidney problems;
if you know that the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is not active in you (complete DPD deficiency),
if you are being treated with brivudine as part of herpes zoster therapy (chickenpox or shingles) or have been treated within the last 4 weeks.
Dosage
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
The medicine should only be prescribed by a doctor experienced in the use of anti-cancer medicines.
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage and treatment regimen tailored to you. The basis for calculating the dose of the drug is your body surface area. This is calculated from your height and body weight. The usual dosage for adults is 1,250 mg / m 2 body surface area, which must be taken twice daily (morning and evening). Two examples are given below: A person weighing 64 kg and 1.64 m tall has a body surface area of 1.7 m 2 and should therefore take 4 tablets of 500 mg and 1 tablet of 150 mg twice daily. A person who weighs 80 kg and is 1.80 m tall has a body surface area of 2.00 m 2 and should therefore take 5 tablets of 500 mg twice a day.
Your doctor will tell you what dose to take, when to take it and for how long.
Your doctor may want you to take a combination of 150 mg and 500 mg tablets for each dose.
It is important that you take all your medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
The tablets are usually taken for 14 days, followed by a 7-day break during which no tablets are taken. This 21-day period is one treatment cycle.
When combined with other medicines, the usual adult dose may be less than 1,250 mg/m2 body surface area. It may also be necessary for the tablets to be taken over a different period (e.g. daily, without a break).
If you take more than you should
If you take more medicine than you should, talk to your doctor as soon as possible before taking the next dose.
If you take much more capecitabine than you should, you may experience the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, inflammation or ulceration in the abdomen or mouth, pain or bleeding from the intestines or stomach, or a drop in certain blood cells (bone marrow depression). Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.
If you forget to take it
Do not take the missed dose or double the next dose. Instead, continue with your regular dosing schedule and contact your doctor.
If you stop taking it
There are no known side effects due to discontinuation of capecitabine treatment. If you are using coumarin-type anticoagulants (containing phenprocoumon, for example) and you stop capecitabine, your doctor may need to adjust the dose of the anticoagulant.
If you have any further questions about using this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
