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Capecitabine 💊
💊 Capecitabine is an oral prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), allowing oral administration of a chemotherapy agent usually given intravenously. Always check the BNF here for up-to-date prescribing advice.
ℹ️ About
- Check the BNF or equivalent for up-to-date prescribing guidance.
- Not superior in efficacy to IV 5-fluorouracil, but offers convenience of oral delivery.
⚙️ Mode of Action
- Capecitabine is a prodrug converted in vivo to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).
- 5-FU is a pyrimidine analogue that inhibits thymidylate synthase, disrupting DNA synthesis and repair in rapidly dividing cells.
- The oral formulation allows systemic 5-FU exposure without IV infusion.
📋 Indications / Dose
- As per BNF: Used in colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, often in combination regimens.
- Usual dose: 1250 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days of a 21-day cycle (but always confirm in BNF/chemo protocol).
🔄 Interactions
- Refer to BNF for full details.
- Important interactions: warfarin (↑ INR/bleeding risk), phenytoin (↑ levels), folinic acid (↑ toxicity).
⚠️ Cautions
- Renal or hepatic impairment.
- Elderly patients (↑ toxicity risk).
- History of severe reactions to fluoropyrimidines.
⛔ Contraindications
- As per BNF – absolute contraindications include severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min), DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
⚡ Side Effects
- Gastrointestinal: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomatitis.
- Hand-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia): redness, pain, blistering.
- Myelosuppression: neutropenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia.
- Fatigue, anorexia, mucositis.
- Rare but serious: cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity.
📚 References
- BNF – Capecitabine
- National Cancer Institute – Capecitabine (Xeloda)
- EMA & FDA prescribing information.
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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