Capecitabine Tablets

Category: Antimetabolite / Oral chemotherapy
Form: Oral tablets

Uses:

• Treatment of breast cancer (especially after failure of other chemotherapy or in metastatic cases).

• Treatment of colorectal cancer, including adjuvant therapy after surgery and metastatic disease.

• Sometimes used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs (e.g., oxaliplatin, docetaxel).

Mechanism of Action:

• Capecitabine is a prodrug that is converted in the body to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

• 5-FU interferes with DNA synthesis by inhibiting the enzyme thymidylate synthase, preventing cancer cell replication.

• Selectively activated in tumor tissue due to higher levels of certain enzymes, leading to more targeted action.

Administration:

• Taken orally with food (usually within 30 minutes after a meal).

• Given in treatment cycles, e.g., 2 weeks on treatment followed by 1 week off.

• Dosage is based on body surface area, cancer type, and patient tolerance.

Side Effects:

• Common: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain.

• Hand-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia): redness, swelling, pain, or peeling of skin on palms and soles.

• Hematologic: low white blood cells, low platelets, anemia.

• Other: mouth sores, increased liver enzymes, rash.

• Rare but serious: severe diarrhea, heart problems (e.g., chest pain, arrhythmias), severe infections due to low immunity.

Precautions:

• Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to risk of fetal harm.

• Kidney function should be checked, as dose adjustments may be needed in renal impairment.

• Careful monitoring of blood counts and liver function during treatment.

• Patients should maintain good hydration and report early signs of severe diarrhea or hand-foot syndrome.

Summary:
Capecitabine Tablets are an oral chemotherapy drug used mainly in breast and colorectal cancers. It works as a prodrug of 5-FU, interfering with DNA synthesis in cancer cells. Taken in cycles, it allows outpatient treatment but requires careful monitoring. The most notable side effects are hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, and bone marrow suppression, which may require dose adjustments.