While on Xeloda, will I be toxic to my family or pet? What precautions should we observe?

First of all, sorry to hear you have cancer, hang in there. Not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Everyone reacts differently so if you do see some side effects, contact your doctor immediatly. The most common side effects are:

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•Anemia -- in up to 80 percent of people (see Chemotherapy and Anemia)
•Hand-and-foot syndrome (redness and tenderness of the palms and soles) -- up to 60 percent
•Diarrhea -- up to 55 percent (see Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhea)
•Nausea -- up to 53 percent (see Chemotherapy and Nausea)
•Fatigue or weakness -- up to 42 percent (see Chemotherapy and Fatigue)
•Vomiting -- up to 37 percent
•Abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- up to 35 percent
•Loss of appetite -- up to 26 percent
•Neutropenia (low levels of a certain type of white blood cell) -- up to 26 percent
•Mouth sores -- up to 25 percent (see Mouth and Gum Problems During Chemotherapy)
•Unusual sensations (such as burning or tingling) in the hands or feet -- up to 21 percent (see Nerve and Muscle Problems During Chemotherapy).

Other common side effects (occurring in 5 to 18 percent of people) included:


•Constipation (see Constipation With Chemotherapy)
•Eye irritation, vision changes, or conjunctivitis ("pink eye")
•Difficulty breathing
•Pain, including back pain, muscle pain, or joint pain (see Chemotherapy-Related Pain)
•Lethargy
•Headaches
•Indigestion or heartburn
•Dizziness
•Insomnia (see Xeloda and Insomnia)
•Dehydration
•Coughing
•Hair loss (see Xeloda and Hair Loss)
•Taste changes
•Mood changes.