1. < Colorectal Cancer

Capecitabine (Xeloda) and Weight Gain

Posted by wifemom3 @wifemom3, Aug 11, 2022

I started Capecitabine on June 9, 2022. Since starting this medicine, I have gained almost 20 pounds (within 2 months). Latest weight taken today at oncologist office. Has anyone experienced weight gain on this medicine? By the way, I take 6 pills a day 500 mg each.
It is very depressing.

Thanks in advance.

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canfriend | @canfriend | Aug 14, 2022

I also took capecitabine ( 6x 500 mg a day) starting at the end of April daily for 5 weeks while also undergoing 5 weeks (5 x a week) of radiation. My surgery is not until next month. But in my case, by the end of May , I had lost 20 pounds. Over the summer I was able to gain 10 of those pounds back. I guess every case is different.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 24, 2022

@wifemom3, has the weight gain tapered off? Is capecitabine (Xeloda) the culprit? How are you doing?

Like @canfriend, I've heard other members talk about weight loss on this treatment. Maybe @mjjc and @lisag03 can share their experiences.

How are you doing @canfriend?

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beth123 | @beth123 | Nov 8, 2022

@wifemom3 I also gained weight while on CAPOX. I finished Oct. 2021 and continue to struggle with my weight. It is very frustrating. I eat a Mediterranean style diet and I’m fairly active. So not sure why some gain weight and others loose weight. Could be the oxilaplatin. I would see if your team has a nutritionist on staff.

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mallika58 | @mallika58 | Nov 9, 2022
In reply to @canfriend "I also took capecitabine ( 6x 500 mg a day) starting at the end of April..." + (show)
@canfriend

I also took capecitabine ( 6x 500 mg a day) starting at the end of April daily for 5 weeks while also undergoing 5 weeks (5 x a week) of radiation. My surgery is not until next month. But in my case, by the end of May , I had lost 20 pounds. Over the summer I was able to gain 10 of those pounds back. I guess every case is different.

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Hi, I had the same regimen as above -radiotherapy for five weeks and capacitabine ( xeloda) for same duration. This ended 3 weeks ago . I have been suffering from loose motion since then , have to be at home near a toilet all the time as I have very little control.Plus fatigue and loss of taste. Miserable situation. Drs say it will go away in some time. Keen to know your experience on side effects. I don’t have weight gain problem but
Feel bloated.

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ronnie1000 | @ronnie1000 | Jan 8 8:08pm

I've been on it for 3 weeks and went from 214 to 231 I believe a lot of mine is water gain Harley ever pee

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1 reply
martin77 | @martin77 | Jan 9 6:34am
In reply to @ronnie1000 "I've been on it for 3 weeks and went from 214 to 231 I believe a..." + (show)
@ronnie1000

I've been on it for 3 weeks and went from 214 to 231 I believe a lot of mine is water gain Harley ever pee

Jump to this post

I lost a lot of weight (mainly muscle loss through not cycling / walking as much?) but also had water retention around the ankles needing Furosamide (water pills) to clear up. After 9 months of finishing chemo (preceded by a resection in November 2022) my weight is back to normal and I'm cycling / walking / skiing as before, albeit on an e-bike this time!

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cjay | @cjay | Jan 9 2:36pm

@wifemom3
I was on FOLFOX, and had Capecitabine as one of my 3 chemo drugs. I never took it orally. I lost weight during my treatments, and have some weird skin changes to my feet that hopefully aren’t permanent

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