Capecitabine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body

Capecitabine is used to treat breast cancer and colon or rectum cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Capecitabine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to capecitabine or fluorouracil (Adrucil), or if you have severe kidney disease or a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency.

Do not use capecitabine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control while you are taking capecitabine, whether you are a man or a woman. Tell your doctor if a pregnancy occurs during treatment.

You should not breast-feed while you are taking capecitabine.

Before you take capecitabine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, a history of coronary artery disease, or if you are also taking folic acid (contained in many vitamin and mineral supplements), leucovorin (Wellcovorin), phenytoin (Dilantin), or a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin).

While taking capecitabine, you will need blood tests at your doctor's office on a regular basis. Do not miss any appointments. You must remain under the care of a doctor while you are taking capecitabine.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as severe vomiting or diarrhea, fever or flu symptoms, pain or redness of your hands or feet, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), chest pain, sudden numbness or weakness, or fainting.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to capecitabine or fluorouracil (Adrucil), or if you have:

• severe kidney disease; or

• a metabolic disorder called DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use capecitabine:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• a history of coronary artery disease; or

• if you are also taking folic acid (contained in many vitamin and mineral supplements), leucovorin (Wellcovorin), phenytoin (Dilantin), or a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin).

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use capecitabine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

Use birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are taking capecitabine, whether you are a man or a woman. Tell your doctor if a pregnancy occurs during treatment.

It is not known whether capecitabine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking capecitabine.

People over 80 years old may be more likely to have certain side effects from this medication.