- severe nausea/vomiting (vomiting 2 or more times per day, inability to eat or keep food/fluids in your stomach)
- painful redness/swelling/sores in mouth or throat
If any of the above symptoms occur, your doctor may lower your dose when you start taking capecitabine again or may stop treatment with this drug.
Treatment with capecitabine may sometimes cause your hands/feet to develop a skin reaction called hand-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia). You can prevent or reduce these problems by protecting your hands and feet from a great deal of heat or pressure. Avoid unnecessary exposure to heat (e.g., hot dishwater, long hot baths). Avoid pressure on elbows, knees, and soles of feet (e.g., leaning on elbows, kneeling, long walks). Wear loose clothing. Depending on how severe your hand-foot syndrome is, your doctor may prescribe a medication to reduce the symptoms or decrease/delay your next dose of capecitabine. If you experience pain/swelling/redness, blisters, or numbness of the hands/feet that affects your usual activities, stop taking this medication and tell your doctor immediately.
This medication can lower your ability to fight an infection. Stop taking this medication and call your doctor promptly if you develop any signs of an infection such as high fever, chills, or persistent sore throat.
Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects:
- abdominal/stomach pain
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- extreme tiredness
- mental/mood changes (e.g., depression)
- swelling of the ankles/feet
- vision changes
- shortness of breath
- change in the amount of urine
- dark urine
- yellowing of the eyes/skin
- fast/irregular heartbeat
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:
- chest pain
- fainting
- jaw/left arm pain
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:
- rash
- itching
- swelling
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other side effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Xeloda Oral Medical Alert
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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