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Frequently Asked Questions
XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets Pill: Frequently Asked Questions
Many patients diagnosed with cancer have
questions about their treatment. Here you'll find helpful answers
to common patient questions about XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets.
There are also answers to questions about the treatment of breast
and colorectal cancer. Just select a category from the list below.
* About XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets
* About Taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets
* About the Side Effects of XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets
This site summarizes important information about XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets. If you would like more information, talk with your
doctor. Your doctor should always be your first choice for
detailed information about your medical condition and XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets.
Q: What is XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets?
A: XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets (zeh-LOE-duh) also known as
capecitabine (CAPE-site-ah-bean) is a medicine you take by mouth
(orally). XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is used to treat
specific types of cancer.
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Q: What is XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets used to treat?
A: XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is used to treat specific types
of cancer
In patients with breast cancer, XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is
used to treat:
* Breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. In
this case, XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is taken with another
medicine, docetaxel. This type of cancer is called metastatic
breast cancer
* Breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has
not improved after treatment with other medicines such as
paclitaxel and anthracycline-containing medicine such as
doxorubicin
In patients with colorectal cancer, XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets is used to treat:
* Stage III (Dukes' C) colon cancer after surgery (called adjuvant
therapy)
* Cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer) that has
spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastatic
colorectal cancer. You should know that in studies other medicines
showed improved survival when they were taken together with 5-FU
and leucovorin. In studies with XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets,
XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets was no worse than 5-FU and
leucovorin taken together. But it did not improve survival
compared to these 2 medicines.
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Q: How does XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets work?
A: XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is a medicine you take by mouth
(orally). XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is changed in the body
to a substance called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In some patients with
colon, rectum, or breast cancer, 5-FU stops cancer cells from
growing and decreases the size of the tumor.
Q: How can I find out if XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets may be
right for me?
A: Take the "Is XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets Right for Me?"
questionnaire and share the results with your doctor.
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Q: Who makes XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets?
A: XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is manufactured by Genentech
USA, Inc. Visit www.gene.com for more information.
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Q: How long has XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets been available?
A: XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets has been on the market since
1998, when it was the first oral chemotherapy approved by the FDA
for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. In 2001, it became
the first oral chemotherapy approved for the treatment of
metastatic colorectal cancer. It received FDA approval for the
treatment of Stage III (Dukes' C) colon cancer in 2005.
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Q: Is XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets being used to treat other
types of cancer?
A: XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is being studied as a potential
treatment for other types of cancer. But right now it is approved
only for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer that did not
improve after treatment with taxoines and anthracyclines,
metastatic colorectal cancer, and Stage III (Dukes' C) colon
cancer.
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Q: Can XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets be used in combination with
other drugs?
A: XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is approved to be taken along
with docetaxel in metastatic breast cancer. There are studies
under way to see how XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets works with
other drugs and in other cancers.
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Q: Will XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets be covered by my health
insurance?
XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is covered by most commercial
insurance plans. To find information about your specific insurance
coverage call the ONCOLINE Reimbursement Hotline at
1-800-443-6676. For Medicare patients, XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets is eligible for only Medicare Part B coverage in oncology,
as well as other Medicare health plans, including Medicare
Advantage plans.
The ONCOLINE Reimbursement Hotline and Patient Assistance Program
for XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets
The Reimbursement Hotline offers both professionals and patients
valuable answers to billing, reimbursement, and coverage policy
questions. Genentech also assists patients in finding potential
alternate funding sources of coverage, as well as assisting
qualified indigent patients in obtaining medication. The ONCOLINE
Reimbursement Hotline can help!
Learn more about insurance coverage for XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets
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Q: Is there a generic version of XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets
available?
A: No. XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is a branded prescription
medicine. Currently, there is no generic. If someone tries to
offer you a generic version of XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets, be
sure to contact your doctor and/or local authorities right away.
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Q: Who should not take XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets?
A: You should not take XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets if you:
* are nursing a baby. Tell your doctor if you are nursing.
XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets may pass to the baby in your milk
and harm the baby
* are allergic to 5-fluorouracil
* are allergic to capecitabine ingredients
* have been told that you lack the enzyme DPD (dihydropyrimidine
dehydrogenase)
Take the "Is XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets Right for Me?"
interactive questionnaire
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Q: How should I take XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets?
A: Take XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets exactly as your doctor
tells you to. Your doctor will prescribe a dose and treatment plan
that is right for you. Your doctor may ask you to take various
combinations of 150 mg and 500 mg tablets together for each dose.
You need to know what each type of tablet looks like. Taking the
wrong tablets could cause an overdose (too much medicine) or an
underdose (too little medicine).
* Take XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets tablets in the combination
prescribed by your doctor for your morning and evening doses
* Take the tablets within 30 minutes after the end of a meal
(breakfast and dinner)
* Swallow XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets tablets with water
Always be sure to take XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets exactly as
your doctor has prescribed.
Learn more about How to Take XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets
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Q: What should I do if I miss a dose of XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets?
A: If you miss a dose of XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets:
* Do not take the missed dose at all
* Do not double the next dose
* Continue your regular dosing schedule and check with your doctor
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Q: What if I take too much XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets?
A: If you take too much XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets, contact
your doctor or local poison control center or go to an emergency
room right away.
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Q: How long will I need to take XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets?
A: XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets is usually taken for 14 days.
This is followed by a 7-day rest period (no drug). Together this
is called a 21-day cycle. However, your doctor is the best person
to tell you how many days you have to take XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets and how many cycles of treatment you will need.
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Q: Can I have sex while taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets?
A: Yes. Women should not become pregnant while taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets. XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets may harm your unborn
child. Use effective birth control while taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
Men should use birth control while taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets.
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Q: Can I breast-feed my child while taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets?
A: Do not breast-feed while taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets. XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets may pass through your
milk and harm your baby.
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Q: What should I tell my doctor before taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets?
A: Tell your doctor if you:
* take a blood thinner such as warfarin. This is very important
because XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets may increase the effect of
medicines used to thin your blood. If you are taking blood
thinners and XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets, your doctor needs to
know. That's because XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets may increase
the effect of this medicine and could lead to serious side
effects. If you are taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets along
with a blood thinner, your doctor needs to check more often how
fast your blood clots. Your doctor will adjust your dose of the
blood thinner if needed
* take phenytoin. Your doctor needs to test the levels of
phenytoin in your blood more often or change your dose of
phenytoin
* are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets may harm your unborn child
* have kidney problems. Your doctor may prescribe a different
medicine or lower the XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets dose
* have liver problems. You may need to be checked for liver
problems while you take XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets
* have heart problems. You could have more side effects related to
your heart
* take the vitamin folic acid. It may affect how XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets works
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Q: How should I store XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets?
A: Store XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets at normal room
temperature (about 65°F to 85°F). Keep XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets and all other medicines out of the reach of children.
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Q: Can I take XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets to treat other
conditions?
A: Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not
mentioned in patient information leaflets. Only use XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets to treat the condition it was prescribed to treat.
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Q: Can I give XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets to someone else to
treat his/her cancer?
A: Do not give XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets to other people,
even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. A
doctor should always be involved in the choice of whether or not
to use a prescription medicine.
Q: What if someone else takes my XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets
tablets?
A: Never share XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets with anyone. If
someone else swallows your XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets by
accident, call your doctor or local poison control center or go to
an emergency room right away.
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Q: Is there a support program available for patients who take
XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets?
A: People taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets have a
convenient, no-cost place to turn for additional support. XTRA is
a personalized, confidential support service. It is run by an
independent company and funded by Genentech, the makers of
XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets. XTRA puts patients in touch with
an oncology nurse, who is trained to provide information about
your XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets therapy and keeps in contact
with your doctor to stay on top of your current treatment plan.
Remember, your doctor should always be your first choice for
detailed information about your condition and treatment. To enroll
in XTRA, download XTRA Enrollment Form. You can also sign up
online.
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Q: What are the most common side effects of XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets?
A: Like all chemotherapy treatments, XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets has certain side effects. For some people, milder side
effects may suddenly become severe. However, the side effects of
XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets can be generally managed and often
reversed if you act quickly. In clinical studies, XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets was generally tolerated well by patients.
The most common side effects of XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets
are:
* Hand-foot syndrome (pain, swelling, or redness of your hands or
feet)
* Diarrhea
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Sores in the mouth and throat (stomatitis)
* Stomach area pain (abdominal pain)
* Upset stomach
* Constipation
* Loss of appetite
* Too much water loss from the body (dehydration)
The following side effects may also occur:
* Rash
* Dry, itchy, or discolored skin
* Nail problems
* Hair loss
* Tiredness
* Weakness
* Dizziness
* Headache
* Fever
* Pain (including chest, back, joint, and muscle pain)
* Trouble sleeping
* Taste problems
* Pain (including chest, back, joint, and muscle pain)
These side effects may differ when taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets with docetaxel. Please consult your doctor for possible
side effects that may be caused by taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets with docetaxel.
If you are concerned about these or any other side effects while
taking XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets, talk to your doctor.
See tips for controlling the side effects of XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets and learn what foods to avoid.
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Q: What should I do if I experience a side effect?
A: Many of the side effects of XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets can
be generally managed and often reversed if you act quickly. If you
have side effects, contact your healthcare team for suggestions or
see tips for controlling the side effects of XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets. Ask your doctor about enrolling in the XTRA service for
more help with managing side effects.
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Q: When do I need to contact my doctor?
A: It is important to STOP your XLOTABIN (capecitabine) Tablets
therapy and call your doctor if:
* You have pain, redness, swelling, or sores in your mouth
* You have pain, swelling, or redness of your hands or feet that
prevents normal activity
* You have an additional 4 bowel movements each day beyond what is
normal, or any diarrhea at night
* You vomit more than once in a 24-hour time period or you lose
your appetite and the amount of food you eat each day is much less
than usual
* You have a temperature of 100.5°F or greater, or other signs of
infection
If you have these side effects, do not continue to take XLOTABIN (capecitabine)
Tablets until you have talked to your doctor.
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