Xeloda (capcitabine) side effects

NinaCA

Hi, I’m new to Xeloda and am in my fourth cycle and have some questions about side effects. This time I had eye problems (eye glued closed in the morning and soreness during the day And weeping out the side) which I finally solved with Claritin. Don’t know if the Xeloda is making me more sensitive to the environment. I never had allergies before. I’m just finishing taking care of a BIG blister on my toe that I think is also related to Xeloda (I had one during my first cycle)

Has anyone had these symptoms? I never know which doc to call for each problem. At last I’m in my week off and hope nothing else pops up. The good news is my tumor markers are going down and PET scan next will hopefully show shrinkage! I’m a 22 year BC survivor, and an 18 year metastatic breast cancer survivor. Thanks 😊 Nina

Dixie02

I'm just starting xeloda. Currently on the break after my first cycle. I was under the impression that it wouldn't be so bad when compared to the IV chemo I had done. My doctor started me off on 8 pills a day. I handled it fine for most of the cycle, and was hit hard at the end. I stopped taking it two days shy of when I was supposed to because I did not want those symptoms to get worse. The bottom of my feet and palms were hurting, I have one toe on each foot with a blister on it, the diarrhea doesn't seem to go away but at least I'm not cramping anymore, my throat was sore and tight, low fever.... My doctor is giving me an extra week off before starting again, and he lowered my dose to six pills a day.

It did sort of feel as if some of the side effects were allergic reactions, but I didn't get them until the last week, so it must have been the accumulated effect of each dose. I didn't do any research into it, not the way I did during the beginning of my cancer journey, but I was under the impression that xeloda was going to be something that I could live/work/play on. I even started looking for a job to make a little extra cash, but I can't be a new employee who may need to take a week off once a month to recover from this.

marley2

I had those same eye problems when on Ibrance. Now I am having vision problems on Xeloda. Weird light flashes and floaters in my eye. Worried I had a retina tear, but eye dr. didn't see anything. I had great results on latest Pet, hope it keeps working! Other than eyes, haven't had any major side effects. Good luck everyone!

Claire

Seilien

I am also new to Xeloda and I only got through 1 cycle before I was hospitalized for blood clots. I also felt the SE near the end, mostly diarrhea and my feet and hands are so itchy and kind of painful. Hopefully I can lower the dosage, i started with 8 pills a day. My eyes have been feeling weaker but I wasn't sure about it because I wear glasses.

NinaCA

Hi, It wasn't until my 6th cycle, on 3000mg a day (6 pills) that I came down with the awful side effects. Things have calmed down in my week off and I will be starting with a lower dosage this week, 5 pills a day (2500mg). I was told it shouldn't affect he effectiveness of the medication. After the 3rd cycle my Liver and rectal mets were "resolved " on the PET scan, so I need to continue what seems to be a very effective drug for me. I have found another blog called "All about Xeloda" that I was recently steered to. It's been around a long time. I started this thread because I couldn't find anything at first when I entered the word Xeloda. I have a long list of creams that I have tried if you are interested in them.

As for eye problems I too have had them. I believe I became sensitized to having allergies (to what I don't know) because I was able to control my itchy, gooey, eyes with Claritin and anti-histamine eye drops. I would wake up with my eye glued together. When I stopped the Claritin the eye issue came up again. For the pain, I didn't realize until last week that Ibuprofen can help with the inflammation in the feet.