An antimetabolite - treats Breast Cancer and Colorectal Cancer
FDA Alerts
Alterations in Anticoagulant Effects
Altered coagulation parameters (e.g., increased PT, increased INR) and/or bleeding, sometimes fatal, reported in patients, with or without liver metastases, receiving capecitabine concomitantly with coumarin-derivative anticoagulants. Generally occurs within several days to months following initiation of therapy, but has been reported within 1 month following discontinuance of therapy. (See Coagulopathy under Cautions and also see Specific Drugs under Interactions.)
Age >60 years and diagnosis of cancer may independently increase risk of coagulopathy.
Monitor anticoagulant response (PT or INR) frequently in patients receiving concomitant capecitabine and oral coumarin-derivative therapy; adjust anticoagulant dosage accordingly.
Talk to your doctor if you are taking the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin). In some cases,
severe bleeding and death have resulted when these medications were taken together, or when
treatment with warfarin (Coumadin) was started in the month following treatment with capecitabine. If
treatment with both medications is determined by your doctor to be necessary, special monitoring will
be required.
Do not take any of the following medicines during treatment with capecitabine without first
talking to your doctor:
phenytoin (Dilantin);
leucovorin (Wellcovorin); or
folic acid.
You may not be able to take capecitabine, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with capecitabine. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking capecitabine and
seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat;
difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
diarrhea (more than 4 bowel movements each day or any
diarrhea at night);
vomiting (more than once in 24 hours);
nausea or a loss of appetite (if the amount of food you eat
each day is much less than usual or if you are only able to eat at certain times);
fever (temperature greater than 100.5 degrees) or other
signs of infection;
tingling, numbness, pain, swelling, or redness of the hands
and/or feet (hand-and-foot syndrome); or
pain, redness, swelling, or sores in or around the mouth.
Other less serious side effects may occur more frequently. Continue to take
capecitabine and talk to your doctor if you experience:
dehydration;
a rash or dry or itchy skin;
tiredness;
dizziness;
headache;
constipation;
sleeplessness; or
eye irritation.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Print
Email
Save
FDA Alerts
Drug Info Tools
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
