Xeloda

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About Xeloda

Xeloda is a cancer medicine.

What it is used for

Xeloda should only be prescribed by a doctor who is experienced in the use of cancer medicines.

How it is used

Before starting treatment, it is recommended that patients are tested to check that they have a working dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme. Xeloda is available as tablets (150 and 500 mg). The dose depends on the patient’s height and weight and the type of cancer being treated. Xeloda tablets should be taken within 30 minutes after a meal. The tablets are given twice daily for 14 days followed by a 7-day gap before the next course. Treatment is continued for 6 months after colon surgery. For other types of cancer, treatment is stopped if the disease gets worse or the side effects are unacceptable. Doses need to be adjusted for patients with liver or kidney disease and for patients who develop certain side effects. For patients with partial DPD deficiency, a lower starting dose may be considered.

How it works

The active substance in Xeloda, capecitabine, is a cytotoxic medicine that belongs to the group ‘anti-metabolites’. Capecitabine is converted to the medicine fluorouracil in the body, but more is converted in tumour cells than in normal tissues. Fluorouracil is very similar to pyrimidine. Pyrimidine is part of the genetic material of cells (DNA and RNA). In the body, fluorouracil takes the place of pyrimidine and interferes with the enzymes involved in making new DNA. As a result, it prevents the growth of tumour cells and eventually kills them.

Active substance: capecitabine

Source: EMA EPAR