Capecitabine side effects are really tough: What helps?

@115 Welcome to Mayo Connect. @tomrennie has some experience with this medication. I'll invite him to post with you.

How long ago were you diagnosed? Is capecitabine the only treatment that has been prescribed so far? Have you had any other treatments or surgeries?

@hopeful33250 I was diagnosed in February and had surgery March 23. I was a stage 2 no nodes involved but cancer in the space that surrounds them. I’m hoping that the drug and radiation will take care of it but they did recommend 8 rounds of chemo after.

@rb991 So those nausea meds are working? I have never heard of them. Thanks.

The shorter off time between cycles, from what I have experienced and learned, would pose more challenges over time. For four weeks, I hope that it doesn't make a difference. Be alert for dry skin especially on the palms of her hands and bottom of her feet. I suggest applying skin moisturizer to both, and any dry skin areas, to avoid excessive skin dryness. She might also get mouth sores. Keeping her teeth and gums as clean as possible usually helps. She already has experienced neuropathy on her fingers. I live with it on my hands and legs below my knees. Compression socks and gloves really help. My oncologist has told me that capecitabine typically makes one feel "tired and crappy". I can confirm that statement. She will need extra rest. Plan for it. She also might get body aches and pains similar to flu like symptoms. Extra rest has really helped me with them. They are the main side effects that come to mind. Let me know if you have any questions.

I have a rare type of pancreatic cancer, neuroendocrine tumors... NETs for short, that has spread to my liver and bones. Because it spread so much, chemo was my best option. For about first year, I took capecitabine with another chemo called temozolomide. I started off with 2500mg daily of capecitabine. About six months in, my daily capecitabine dosage was reduced to 2000mg. The combination of the two chemos was beating me up. Like at @seathink suggested, the reduction in the capecitabine daily dose really helped. I am still on 2000mg daily now.

Let us know, if you have any more questions. We all learn from each other.

@tomrennie I appreciate all the info you’re providing. Do you take the anti nausea meds regularly before the capicetabine? I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to do this.

@115 Initially for me, the main side effects were fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and dry skin. Do you know the dosage and how frequently that you will be taking it?

@tomrennie I’ll be taking capicetabine 2500mg 2 in the morning 3 in the evening 5 days a week along with radiation. They gave me Prochloperaz for nausea. I’m wondering if should take the anti nausea med before I take the capicetabine?