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Capecitabine for Breast Cancer, Metastatic User Reviews

Brand names: Xeloda

Capecitabine has an average rating of 5.7 out of 10 from a total of 22 reviews for the treatment of Breast Cancer, Metastatic. 50% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 41% reported a negative experience.

Capecitabine rating summary

5.7/10 average rating

22 ratings from 24 user reviews.

Compare all 48 medications used in the treatment of Breast Cancer, Metastatic.

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Reviews for Capecitabine

  • carole
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 4, 2023

"I have been taking Capecitabine for 3 months now. It's working really well for me with absolutely no side effects. I hope it continues this way. I have just had a CT scan to see how it's working, so I'm waiting for the hopefully good news. Good luck to everyone out there who is battling with this horrible disease. Stay positive, ladies. We can do this."

10 / 10
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18 Report
  • SueZi
  • December 12, 2016

Xeloda (capecitabine) "I have been taking Xeloda 500mg. for approximately 5 months with only a few side effects I am on one week and off the next. I am tired during the week I am on with occasional diarrhea. I have noticed my hair thinning more but not too extreme. I don't have any hand or foot peeling as others do. I sleep really good and my appetite has not been affected. On occasion my gums feel a little tender. The best part is my tumor markers continue to drop in number! This is working for me."

9 / 10
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138 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 3, 2009

Xeloda (capecitabine) "I have advanced breast cancer in treatment. Xeloda has been better than being stuck in the chemo suite at my oncologist's office all the time. I just take the pills and they are pretty easy to take, compared to the infusions. Now I just have to go once a month to get my Taxotere. My nurse also has me putting lots of lotion on my hands and feet to prevent side effects, so far my hands are just dry sometimes. The best part is my hair is coming back. If I'd known this drug was available earlier, I'd have asked for it."

9 / 10
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178 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Cheryl...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 13, 2017

Xeloda (capecitabine) "I will be starting my 4th round next week of Xeloda (generic). I have stage 4 breast cancer that I have been battling for over 6 years. Tumor spread to the liver, some sort of tumors near my kidney pressing my urethra, and pleurisy. I was losing 1 to 2 lbs a day. This is only my third therapy in all those years. My first round was 4,000 mg per day for 14 days. We had to adjust as the pain in my feet became horrific after a week. I am now taking 3,000 mg per day for 7 days on; 7 days off. I am no longer losing weight so we know the xeloda is probably working on the liver. The pleural area is not refilling (had surgery); kidney was saved with stents. Please do not be quick to jump to another drug (only when they stop working)."

9 / 10
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92 Report
  • Ali
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 15, 2019

"I was diagnosed with liver mets in May this year also have had bone Mets for 5 years all from my breast cancer. So far Capecitbine has worked fantastically I have had 2 scans since starting and both very positive as tumors are shrinking. I feel great. Any side affects are very easy treated."

10 / 10
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53 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 10, 2018

Xeloda (capecitabine) "Chemo pill that is so awful!!!! I didn’t have as many side effects taking AC (Adriamycina & Cyclophosphamide) chemo. I do have so many side effects with these awful pills. The thought of enduring 5 more extremely awful months is almost unimaginable."

2 / 10
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60 Report
  • Susan...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 7, 2022

"I have been on Capecitabine (Xeloda) for 11 months with minor side effects in the beginning when on higher dose (hand and foot syndrome, rash on chest & back) and really minor now since 1500 MG 2x/day, 1 week on and 1 off (minor cramps, diarrhea). I still put lotion on feet once a day. It took away 2 tumors in my chest (hila) but sadly, I now have a small mass on breast. Triple Neg. is the worst! It will be removed in a week and I am still positive and Oncol. is keeping me on same dose. Don't give up and try to be thankful for the good days and enjoy life, like I am, till the good Lord takes me home."

10 / 10
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17 Report
  • devila
  • August 8, 2017

"I have been taking these pills for the past two months...one week on one week off. 500mg per pill. 8 pills per day, four in the morning and four at night and so far this has been a god sent. I have MBC stage 4 as of today I have had no side effects no hair thinning, no diarrhea, no peeling of the hands or feet. I was given the option of chemo infusion but declined as after reading all the side effects I decided not to go that route. I just left my doctors office this afternoon and the news was good. The swelling and open wounds on the breast that had been bleeding profusely has stopped. wounds are healing and some shrinkage of the tumor was seen. I can only tell you that it seems to be working for me."

10 / 10
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42 Report
  • bjmon...
  • July 10, 2016

"I began this drug when diagnosed 9 months ago with Stage IV Metastatic CA. I take 4 pills in the a.m. and 3 in the p.m. I began on the 14 days on and 7 days off regime. Went ok with only a little nausea at first, but a few cycles in had severe diarrhea and stomach pain to the point of passing out on the toilet. The next day diarrhea with bloody stools. My oncologist changed the cycle to 1 week on and 1 week off and I have had much less severe side effects. I do get a day or two with a bout of diarrhea and sometimes a day or 2 of foot redness even with using creams faithfully. However, my CT scan confirms my cancer liver spots have decreased and shrunk. My bone spots are healing in places and there are no new areas seen...so far, so good."

8 / 10
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45 Report
  • lorie...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 19, 2022

"Hi everyone I have stage 4 breast cancer, which has come back 5 times, I have just been put on Capecitabine and it has reduced the tumour under my armpit, I have had no side effects what so ever. hope it keeps working for me, l know it will."

10 / 10
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14 Report
  • BC Su...
  • May 18, 2016

Xeloda (capecitabine) "I am thankful this drug didn't kill me! After taking this drug for 8 days the side effects started and went from bad to worse...blisters on hands, and hands and feet as well as every fold in my skin turned black and I had severe diahrea, that ended up putting me in the hospital for 6 days. The medicine reacted to my colon and it was wide open, couldn't hold anything down, lost 17 pounds is 7 days, although the weight loss was welcomed, I wouldn't suggest going about it this way. I stuck it out for the full 14 day regime and my doctor believes that with taking the drug for the first cycle hopefully it shrunk some of the tumors which are in my jaw, spine, collar bone and left femur. New treatmen coming after I recover from Xeloda!"

2 / 10
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38 Report
  • cher
  • April 4, 2016

Xeloda (capecitabine) "I've been on Xeloda for 5 months. I have extreme traveling pains. Once I woke up at 3am and my right hand felt like someone had stabbed me with a knife and the knife was still in it. This lasted for 3 days. Next it was my left leg at the hip joint. I couldn't walk on it. Lots of pain when I moved it. It lasted about 4 days. Next was in my jaw joint. Painful swelling, couldn't bite down on anything..another 3 day episode. The pain is horrible. I go for scans in two weeks to see why my tumor markers went up. Could be from the inflammation xeloda is causing, could be xeloda is not working for me and the cancer is spreading. Will know soon."

6 / 10
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29 Report
  • Anony...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 4, 2021

Xeloda (capecitabine) "My family member did 2 weeks of this drug. Was so fatigued, couldn't eat, and was underweight to start with. Hospitalised with green diarrhoea and later discovered bowel damage. She later died. This treatment is dangerous at the prescribed levels. She may have fared better at a much lower dose."

1 / 10
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11 Report
  • Heart
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 8, 2022

Xeloda (capecitabine) "I had an allergic reaction on IV Cyclophosphamide so my Oncologist replaced it with oral chemo pill Xeloda 3 tablets 2x/day. I was advised to protect myself from the sun if I go out and report diarrhea exceeding 4x and the rest of the side effects on the packet. This drug gave me the following side effects: 1) Stomach cramping and pain 2) Diarrhea 3) Heart Palpitations 4) Purple to black tongue 5) Swelling of my buccal mucosa 6) Sores on my lips, nose, and side of my eyes 7) Swollen reddish face 8) Feeling so cold and at times with chills 9) Generalized body malaise 10) Sensitivity to pepper, ginger, and anything spicy my innards feel like it’s burning I went through chemotherapy seven years ago but this medicine tops it. I pray to God there’s another alternative."

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6 Report
  • janma...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 17, 2016

Xeloda (capecitabine) "My husband is on it and is extremely fatigued- and I MEAN TIRED to where he can't walk w/o getting out of breath. He also coughs constantly and brings up white foamy phlegm. L girl, you said your mom passed soon after taking the drug. I'm so sorry. Did she have issues with lungs and/or cough? I hope you see this but I'm not sure you will since we can't message people on here apparently."

3 / 10
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23 Report
  • Rah
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 11, 2021

Xeloda (capecitabine) "My mother developed severe side effects to Xeloda after taking two cycles of this drug. She passed away within two months. I truly believe she would still be with us had she not started this toxic treatment."

1 / 10
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10 Report
  • gpano
  • June 8, 2020

"I have metastatic breast cancer that spread to my liver and bone, My oncologist said its inoperable. I've been on capecitabine and a new experimental chemo drug called tesataxal for approx 10 months now I'm on my 13 cycle. So far my tumors stable some have shrunk. I'm getting a little anxious and was wondering how long I need to continue taking this drug. The protocol requires me to take it for 2 years. I'm asking if anyone has other alternatives to speed up the process?"

8 / 10
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10 Report
  • TLano
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 19, 2020

"My mom has has taken this medication capecitabine for 4 sessions (2weeks +1 week break) now and it was 1 tablet (500mg) am and 1 tablet( 500mg) pm for 3 sessions and after the first session she was not able to do most of her daily chores as she used to but by the third session she had a tummy so swollen ( 2x its original size). And in the forth dose when it was 2 tablets (500mg) am and 2 tablets( 500mg) pm things just got out of hand with an exploding tummy, not being able to eat or walk and excessive belching, passing less urine, trouble breathing and severe leg, feet, back and shoulder pain . I think this medication hits pretty hard on elderly people."

4 / 10
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9 Report
  • Joy...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • October 26, 2018

Xeloda (capecitabine) "Wonderful drug for me. Brought my tumor marker blood test from 555 to 71 and still may be going lower. No side effects. Pray it continues to work."

10 / 10
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94 Report
  • L girl
  • November 19, 2015

Xeloda (capecitabine) "My mom took this medication and not long after she passed away. I think this medication played a good part. I wouldn't take it if I was any1 but hopefully it might work for you."

1 / 10
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30 Report
  • Lizzie
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 30, 2016

Xeloda (capecitabine) "Appears I have developed lactose intolerance on my third cycle"

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17 Report
  • Anonymous
  • February 27, 2021

Xeloda (capecitabine) "This stuff doesn't work, found lesion on liver. Made my daughter sooo weak . Don't take it!!!"

1 / 10
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7 Report
  • Wonder...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 25, 2021

"I've been on chemo last year and the side affects on this are horrible!! My life dwindle to nothing in one month! Never again now I have to clean detox my body of this stuff!!"

1 / 10
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5 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 6, 2022

"Not effective, toxic, produce liver damage, hyper pigmentation of skin , tumor markers CEA increase with this drug"

1 / 10
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2 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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