CAPELODA is used to treat breast cancer and colon cancer, including cancer of both the colon and rectum and gastric cancer. CAPELODA may be given in combination with other anticancer medicines or as standalone therapy. Your doctor will decide whether or not you qualify for treatment with CAPELODA and whether or not it should be combined with other medicines.
WHAT CAPELODA IS USED FOR:
BEFORE YOU TAKE CAPELODA:
Do NOT take CAPELODA if you:
- Are hypersensitive or allergic to capecitabine or any of the other ingredients of CAPELODA.
- Previously had a severe and unexpected reaction to medicines belonging to the same class of anticancer medicines as capecitabine (fluoropyrimidine therapy) or if you are known to be hypersensitive or allergic to fluorouracil.
- Are known with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency. Please speak to your doctor if you are unsure.
- Have low white blood cell and platelet counts. Please speak to your doctor if you are unsure.
- Have very poor liver function. Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
- Have very poor kidney function. Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
- Are also taking sorivudine or other medicines related to it for the treatment of viral infections. Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding (see "Pregnancy and breastfeeding").
- Have a known condition where the body cannot break down the building blocks of DNA or RNA (DPD deficiency).
HOW TO TAKE CAPELODA:
Always take CAPELODA exactly as your doctor has instructed you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. Do not share medicines prescribed for you with others. CAPELODA tablets are usually taken twice daily (morning and evening) for 14 days followed by a 7-day rest period. Your doctor will calculate the most appropriate dosage for you. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water during or within 30 minutes after a meal. You will be carefully monitored during therapy with CAPELODA. If you develop side effects (see "POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS"), your doctor may decide to alter your dosage or to interrupt treatment with CAPELODA depending on the nature and severity of the side effects that you are experiencing. He/she will decide when to re-start therapy at a lower dose or whether treatment with CAPELODA should be stopped. Your doctor will decide how long treatment with CAPELODA will last. Safety of CAPELODA in children has not been established.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:
CAPELODA can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for CAPELODA are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking CAPELODA, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional for advice. The most common side effects following treatment with CAPELODA include gut disturbances, such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, and hand-foot syndrome.
STORING AND DISPOSING OF CAPELODA:
Store at or below 25 °C. Keep the tablets in the blister pack and the blisters in the outer carton until required for use. STORE ALL MEDICINES OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Do not use after the expiry date stated on the label/carton. Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist. Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems, for example toilets.