Capecitabine for Breast Cancer User Reviews
Brand names: Xeloda
Reviews for Capecitabine
- PHa...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 29, 2018
"I take capecitabine for 14 days with 7 days off. My dosage is 3000 mg per day (3 pills in the AM with food, 3 pills in PM with food). Side effects in cycle 1 were very minimal; mild fatigue and nausea that began toward the end of the cycle. Hand/foot syndrome developed in cycle 2: blistering on fingers, toes, discoloration on fingers, pain on the bottom of the foot that limited my walking. Side effects in cycle 3 were severe diarrhea and abdominal cramping, in addition to worsening of hand/foot. I am taking a 3-week break from the drug, and the dosage will be adjusted in cycle 4."
- Old...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- April 20, 2020
Capecitabine "I took it during the 3rd year after my diagnosis. It worked great for about 11 months, and then it didn't. But I was struggling with extreme fatigue before I started taking it, and within the first week, I felt so much better. Other than fatigue, I didn't have any side effects. It was great."
Frequently asked questions
- How long does chemo take? Sessions, cycles, and recovery time?
- What is the CAPOX (XELOX) chemotherapy regimen?
- Chemo side effects: What should I expect and how to cope?
- What medications are known to cause hair loss?
- Gee...
- October 6, 2020
"I am about to start breast cancer treatment #5 out of 6. Hooray!!! So far, side effects have been very minimal. A very low grade 1 on the hand and foot syndrome (but also contribute that to the job I do, on my feet 8 hours a day, I am a cashier), no blisters. Digestive the only thing, a bit of stomach cramping. Minimal fatigue, but still able to work 40 hours a week and hike twice a week (on my days off to make sure I don’t overdo it on my feet). I am a faithful drinker of water and lotion on my hands and feet. I’m 2 weeks on / one week off 3000mg, 3 pills morning, 3 pills night. Hasn’t affected my blood work. THANKFUL for that. It pays off that I went into this journey very healthy and young (46) with no other health conditions."
- Liz...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 10, 2016
Capecitabine "Xeloda has brought my TMs down slowly but consistently. However, when I changed to the Mylan brand (insurance made me switch to the Accredo mail order), I had a horrible experience after one cycle. The other products/binders in this brand included lactose and a combination similar to Miralax. I became lactose intolerant and dehydrated due to severe diarrhea. Also had severe myalgia and arthralgia. I am now back on the Teva brand and seem to be doing well."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- CLG...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 24, 2022
Capecitabine "The doctors at a top cancer hospital prescribed my mother Xeloda as a “clean up” drug just in case she had any stray cancer cells remaining in her system. She had already undergone chemotherapy (including the red devil), surgery, and radiation for stage 2 breast cancer, no lymph nodes. She was nervous about taking the drug even though it was considered a “mild” drug and ultimately decided to take it because the docs said the algorithm told them to give it to her and it was supposed to increase her chances of never getting breast cancer again from 75% to 90%. Unfortunately, she took it, and about two weeks in, she developed mouth sores, sepsis, and passed away in the hospital from a stroke a week later. The doctors were clueless that Xeloda suppresses your white blood cell count and that there is an antidote to Xeloda that would have saved her life. Look it up! Xeloda took my mom’s precious life. Be extremely careful with this drug."
- mis...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- July 22, 2021
Capecitabine "I have HER2 neu positive and BRCA gene mutation associated with triple breast cancer diagnosis. I’ve been on capecitabine for several months. First series of treatments lasted 2 months before neuropathy and skin peeling began on hands and feet. Mouth sores and acne around the mouth area were pretty severe. Stopped treatment for 4 weeks and skin fluffing subsided. Adjusted a different medication I was taking with the capecitabine and started back on treatment. Within 4 weeks, hand and feet issues started again. May need to decrease dosage."
More FAQ
- Radiation vs. Chemo: Which cancer treatment is right for you?
- Why do you need to take Xeloda with food?
- Jon...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 8, 2019
"Just started on Xeloda 3000 mg 3 x 500 mg in AM and 3 x 500 mg in PM. MBC stage 4 did not respond to Ibrance or Piqray. Hope this Xeloda works. 3 doses taken so far with no side effects. I have heard horror stories about losing finger and toenails. Any suggestions?"
- Jes...
- October 10, 2016
"My mom was hospitalized three days after taking a low dose of this poison. Even before she started, she was not really eating and drinking (receiving hydration IVs three days a week). Her liver was so swollen that she could barely swallow her tiny pain pills every four hours. We had to be creative - using honey and Jell-O to keep pills from getting stuck in her throat. I’m guessing that this drug is intended for younger or healthier people, and that in my mom’s case, it probably robbed her of some precious time with her family. She is so much weaker now than before."
- wit...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 21, 2025
"On 2nd course. So far, okay. Diarrhea x1. I was on Orserdu. That didn't work. I felt well for about 4 months. I think I had a mild stroke on that. Ibrance only worked for a few months. I was on Pikray. That worked for at least 27 months, especially since it was only to work on average 8.3. I do not have an HER2 in my diagnosis. I'm HR positive, low PR positive. So my options are limited now. Any ideas."
See also:
Trodelvy
Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan) is a targeted therapy used to treat breast cancer (triple-negative ...
Enhertu
Enhertu is a treatment for breast cancer, stomach cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer with HER2 ...
Verzenio
Verzenio is used to treat early and advanced-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast ...
Kisqali
Kisqali (ribociclib) is used to treat a certain type of advanced metastatic breast cancer. Includes ...
Keytruda
Keytruda is used to treat melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma ...
Avastin
Avastin is used to brain tumors and cancers of the kidney, colon, rectum, or lung. Learn about side ...
Xeloda
Xeloda is used to treat breast and colorectal cancers. Learn about side effects, interactions and ...
Betaseron
Betaseron is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Learn about side effects ...
Extavia
Extavia is used to treat the relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Learn about side effects ...
Oxaliplatin
Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) is a cytotoxic chemotherapy drug used to treat stage III colon cancer and ...
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.Learn more about Breast Cancer
Care guides
Symptoms and treatments
Medicine.com guides (external)
More about capecitabine
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (65)
- Drug images
- Latest FDA alerts (1)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: antimetabolites
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Capecitabine "My sister was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2001. She had two recurrences over the years. In 2016 (second recurrence), she went on Xeloda. It suppressed her cancer for four years (2x as much time as the norm). Her only side effects were slight fatigue and hair thinning. When it stopped working after 4 years, she went on Verzenio, which was awful for her (terrible stomach problems, lost weight, and couldn’t sleep). If only Xeloda lasted forever! She’s now in an infusion chemo easier on her system and working to suppress cancer. Next up: oral SERDs to be approved Feb 2023. It’s hopping from one medication to another once bc metastasized, but she’s lived 21 years so far."