What are the medical uses of Capecitabine

Capecitabine, specifically a tumor-activated fluoropyrimidine, is indicated as a first-line therapy in the management of metastatic colorectal cancer and together with docetaxel for patients with metastatic breast cancer following the failure of anthracycline based therapy.

Capecitabine is also indicated as second-line therapy form breast cancer demonstrating resistance to the both paclitaxel plus an anthracycline containing chemo regimen or in patients whom further anthracycline therapy is not used.

This agent is currently being investigated along with other agents for metastatic and adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment of Breast Cancer, as well as in order to treat colorectal cancer in the metastatic, adjuvant, and neoadjuvant settings. The therapies of capecitabine also have been demonstrated to be effective in the elderly patients with breast cancer/colorectal cancer.

Approval: In the year of 1992, capecitabine was patented and in the year of 1998 it was approved for medical use. This agent belongs to the class of drugs named fluoropyrimidines, which also includes 5-fluorouracil and tegafur.

Dosage Form: Capecitabine comes in the form of tablets generically and under the brand name Xeloda. The capecitabine 500 mg and 150 mmg are the most commonly available strengths. Take capecitabine with water within 30 min following a meal.

As a monotherapy, the dose of capecitabine is 1250 mg/m2 twice daily orally for 2 weeks followed by a one week rest period in 3-week cycles. The adjuvant treatment is prescribed for the total of six months (8 cycles).

Along with docetaxel, the recommended dose of capecitabine is 1250 mg/m2 twice daily for the 2 weeks followed by a 7-day rest period, combined with the docetaxel at 75 mg/m2 as a one hour intravenous infusion every three weeks.

Side Effects: Side effects of capecitabine are usually not life threatening. The commonly reported side effects include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and weakness.

Cost: The capecitabine price in india may vary depending on the wholesaler/pharmacy and of course the brand you choose. The cost of a capecitabine ranges from around 100 INR to 1800 INR for a supply of 10 tablets.