Capixet Tablet (Capecitabine 500 mg)

Capixet Tablet (Capecitabine 500 mg) is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor used to treat adjuvant colon cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer, and metastatic breast cancer. It works by inhibiting the proteins that are responsible for the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Why is the Capecitabine 500 mg tablet used?

To treat colorectal cancer

• Adjuvant treatment of stage  III colon cancer as a monotherapy or in combination with other chemotherapy. 
• Capixet is used in combination with radiotherapy as part of the treatment plan for adults with locally advanced rectal cancer, before and after surgery.
• It is used as a monotherapy to treat metastatic colorectal cancer that can not be removed by surgery or as a part of chemotherapy treatment. 

To treat breast cancer

• Capixet is used as a monotherapy to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body when standard chemotherapies such as anthracyclines or taxanes are not suitable or recommended. 
• It is also used to treat patients with metastatic breast cancer in combination with docetaxel whose cancer has worsened after treatment with an anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

To treat Gastric, Esophageal, or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

• Capixet is used as part of chemotherapy in adult patients with metastatic gastric, esophageal, or gastroesophageal junction cancer.

• Used as part of a combination therapy to treat adults with HER2-positive metastatic stomach or gastroesophageal junction cancer who have not had previous treatment for their metastatic disease.

To treat pancreatic cancer

• Capixet is used as a combination treatment with chemotherapy in adult patients to treat pancreatic adenocarcinoma (cancer of glandular cells, which makes and releases digestive juice).

How to take Capecitabine 500 mg tablets?

To treat adjuvant colon cancer and unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer

• 1250 mg/m2 (every square meter of body surface area) capecitabine alone orally for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle for a maximum of 8 cycles.
• 1,000 mg/m² by mouth twice a day for the first 14 days of each 21-day treatment cycle (maximum 8 cycles) in combination with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m² given by IV on day 1 of each cycle.

To treat perioperative rectal cancer

•  825 mg/m2 orally twice daily with radiation therapy and 1,250 mg/m2 orally twice daily without radiation therapy.

To treat Advanced or metastatic breast cancer

• 1,000 mg/m2 or 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily orally for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle alone, and the same dose in combination with docetaxel 75 mg/m2 intravenously until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

 To treat unresectable or Metastatic Gastric, Esophageal, or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

• 625 mg/m2 Capixet orally twice daily on days 1 to 21 of each 21-day cycle for a maximum of 8 cycles in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy. 
• 850 mg/m2 or 1,000 mg/m2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle in combination with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 of each cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Discuss with your health care provider to understand the whole process of administering Capixet. 

What are the side effects and adverse reactions of Capecitabine?

Serious Side Effects

• Severe diarrhea
• Mouth sores (mucositis/stomatitis)
• Low white blood cells (neutropenia/lymphopenia)
• Nerve problems (neurotoxicity)
• Heart problems (cardiotoxicity)
• Dehydration
• Kidney problems (renal toxicity)
• Severe skin reactions
• Hand-Foot Syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia)
• Low red blood cells (anemia)
• Low platelets
• High bilirubin
• Birth defects / embryo-fetal toxicity

Common Side Effects (>30%)

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Hand-Foot Syndrome
• Mouth sores (stomatitis)
• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Swelling (edema)
• Stomach/abdominal pain
• Skin rash/dermatitis
• Anemia
• Low white blood cells (lymphopenia)

What should I tell my doctor before taking Capixet 500 mg?

• Tell your doctor if you have heart, kidney, or liver problems.
• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Capixet can harm your unborn baby.
• If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Precaution

It is recommended for both male and female partners to use effective birth control during the treatment, as the medication may harm the unborn baby. Your healthcare provider will perform a pregnancy test during the treatment.

General information about the safe and effective use of Capixet

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use Capixet for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give it to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Capixet that is written for health professionals.