Capecitabine and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• MeM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2020

Capecitabine for Colorectal Cancer "I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in January 2020. I underwent 6 weeks of Xeloda along with 6 weeks of targeted radiation. The combination shrunk my tumor by 1.5 inches which was considered a great success when I had surgery in July 2020. I had a bit of nausea and was very exhausted. Some tingling in my thumb and fingers. I also had some diarrhea occasionally. My hair has never been healthier, zero hair loss. At one point, I had some mouth tenderness but never open sores. I have recently finished 4 months of follow-up chemo (Xeloda) and am currently recovering from side effects such as extreme fatigue, muscle aches, limited nausea, and diarrhea. Also, I’ve had split and peeling skin on thumbs and fingers. All in all, my experience with Xeloda has been good. I’ve been told that there is zero sign of any cancer left, CT scan last week will tell the tale. Will know more early January but feeling very optimistic."

• Sue...
• December 12, 2016

Capecitabine for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "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 well, 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."

• Sus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 7, 2022

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I have been on capecitabine (Xeloda) for 11 months with minor side effects in the beginning when on a higher dose (hand and foot syndrome, rash on chest and 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 my breast. Triple neg. is the worst! It will be removed in a week, and I am still positive, and Oncol. is keeping me on the 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."

• dev...
• August 8, 2017

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I have been taking these pills for the past two months...one week on, one week off. 500 mg per pill. 8 pills per day, four in the morning and four at night, and so far this has been a godsend. 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 doctor's office this afternoon, and the news was good. The swelling and open wounds on the breast that had been bleeding profusely have 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."

• bjm...
• July 10, 2016

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "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 regimen. 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."

• PHa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2018

For Breast Cancer "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."

• BC ...
• May 18, 2016

Capecitabine for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "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 feet, as well as every fold in my skin turned black, and I had severe diarrhea 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 in 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 regimen, and my doctor believes that with taking the drug for the first cycle, hopefully, it shrunk some of the tumors that are in my jaw, spine, collarbone, and left femur. New treatment coming after I recover from Xeloda!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2021

Capecitabine for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "My family member did 2 weeks of this drug. Was so fatigued, couldn't eat, and was underweight to start with. Hospitalized with green diarrhea 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."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2016

Capecitabine for Breast Cancer "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."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2022

Capecitabine for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I had an allergic reaction on IV Cyclophosphamide, so my oncologist replaced it with the 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."

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2021

For Colorectal Cancer "My husband was started on 1500 mg twice a day of this while also receiving radiation for rectal cancer when he developed life-threatening problems. It causes dehydration, horrible diarrhea, weakness, and fatigue, kidney functions declined (he has kidney problems), and the combo with radiation caused severe radiation burns internally and enteritis. He recovered from the first infection, started the chemo/rad combo again, his dose of this was dramatically decreased to 500 mg twice a day and continued his radiation. He got sick again in a little over a week and again ended up in the hospital with enteritis and blood infection! To make a long story short, he had a heart attack from this medicine! Thankfully he was in the hospital with these other infections and was rushed to a larger hospital where two stents were put in his right coronary artery and there will be another stent procedure on the left side very soon. This is a horrible medicine and cannot take any chemo now!"