User Reviews for Xeloda oral

Found 2mm spot on brain after stage 4 breast cancer. Was taking Herceptin but would not penetrate brain barrier. Started with higher doses of Tykerb & Xeloda but put me in hospital 7 days with severe diarrhea. Lowered doses - Tykerb 2 500mg once day-21 days on 7 days off. Xeloda 250mg twice day-14 days on 7 days off. Hands and feet red but can tolerate. Last 2 MRIs were good.

I have been on XELODA for 3 mon. after being on faslodex injections and xgeva for bone strength. I was treated in 2000 for stage 2 HER positive. It came back in my spine and now in my bone marrow. The doc is pleased with the XELODA, but I am concerned because my red blood cell count stays low because of cancer cells in my marrow and because XELODA also destroys red blood cells. Overall, I still have good quality of life . The hand/foot syndrome is troublesome, but I am managing with lots of coconut oil all day. I go to warm water therapy and PT to battle fatigue, bone pain, and muscle weakness. Gabapentin for neuropathy, Advil and oxycode for pain, and senecot for constipation are my major drugs/helpers. I am 65 years old and I pray that I am blessed with many years of productive living where I can love and care for for my family and friends and give back to the students I tutor as long as I so shall live. I am constantly reading about new treatments. The comments and reviews on this site have been very comforting to me. Please everyone, keep sharing your experience with this drug. Also, I am one patient who experienced very little nausea or diarrhea. All of the pain mess I use cause constipation, maybe that is why! Oh, I have had many blood transfusions because of the cancer cells in my bone marrow and because of the effects of the XELODA . I know the docs can't keep doing that so I worry about what is next for me. To all patients, keep studying and praying and sharing. Read More Read Less

About 4 years ago at age 67 I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Half my rectum and a few inches of my lower colon next to my rectum were surgically removed, as well as a benign tumor in my right ascending colon and my appendix. Fortunately I do not have to wear a pouch. Biopsy of 23 lymph nodes in the area removed during the surgery revealed three positives, which classified me as a Stage III. After a month of recovery from the surgery I received 25 radiation treatments over a 5 week period, with the primary side-effect of extreme fatigue. After a month of recuperation from the radiation I began 4 months of oral Xeloda treatments, two weeks on and one week off. Dosage was 3000 mg/day, 1500 mg at breakfast and 1500 mg in the evening. the main side-effect was that my skin seemed to be aged about 10 years and was itchy. The soles of my feet still feel like they have thick calluses but they do not. A bizarre side-effect was that my fingerprints disappeared, and this appears to be permanent. I experienced no significant nausea, hair loss or fatigue while taking the Xeloda. Shortly after completing the Xeloda regimen I had a colonoscopy and there were no signs of cancer. The doctor recommended a follow-up colonoscopy in about three years, which I had done a few weeks ago, and one benign polyp was removed but there were no signs whatsoever of cancer. It appears that I am completely cured. The doctor recommends another follow-up colonoscopy in about 5 years. Based on my experience I would heartily recommend the Xeloda as opposed to intravenous chemotherapy. The retail price for Xeloda is about $60 per 500 mg capsule, or $360/ day for 3000 mg, but it is discounted by over 80% for Medicare recipients. Read More Read Less

After two cycles, the Hand/Foot Syndrome began, mostly to feet. I have been on this drug a little more than a year. I have lost two toenails and it does cause some nail fungal stuff over a longer period of time. I haven't experienced nausea/vomiting but do feel very tired at the end of the cycle. Skin gets very dry. Cool water/aloe on feet/palms helps. Get comfy shoes and moisturizer often. Also, take a Calcium/magnesium and drink lots of fluids as it can cause an electrolyte imbalance. Read More Read Less

Caused second degree burns in my small intestines putting back in the hospital for ten days with severe pain

I had breast cancer in 2000 which had spread to my spine in one of my vertebrae. I was prescribed Xeloda by my oncologist. Despite the severe side effects of hands and feet going red, blisters in my mouth and skin disorders, the oncologist insisted on this drug. I decided to terminate the use within 11 weeks. I am now experiencing numbness in both my hands, swelling and stiffness in all the joints of my hands. I believe patients should be warned about these side effects so that they understand the risks involved in taking such severe treatments. These side effects may take six months or even a year to appear. Read More Read Less

My mother 69 years old diagnosed for rectum cancer. After 6 cycles of Chemo , doctor advised 4 different cycle of Xeloda starting from 3 tables in morning and 2 in night. My mother continues this for 4 cycles..during this time, she suffered a lot with side effects - Skin turned to dark - vomiting - muscle reduction - bone weakness - loss of weight She couldn't able to eat for 4 months and due to that her general health condition become worse and she passed away within 8 months of cancer treatment. Please stop Xeloda incase if your disease not controlled in first or second cycle. Read More Read Less

Misdiagnosed as "cured" after mastectomy 8-2011. I had no chemo or radiation. Cancer came back in neck lymph node and under arm in mastectomy side. I was put on Xeloda in July 2013 and have been on 2000/day 2 weeks on, 1 off since. Neck lymph node gone, and other tumors drastically decreased. I want to let all on Xeloda with hand/foot syndrome with bleeding sores on feet to try/use Tegaderm or same product by another company. I suffered over a year with traditional bandaging with little luck. A friend told me about this in December last year and currently all sores are healed. Ask your doctor about this..mine hadn't thought of this use. I have No connection with the company..it just works!Read More Read Less

My mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer in February of 2014. She started Chemotherapy right after the labor day holiday. She was fine even with her cancer, she could walk, run , we even went on vacation to help her relax when she started the chemotherapy. Well, she was supposed to take 3000 mg of Xeloda a day for 2 weeks, she got so sick of a mouth fungal infection caused by Candida albicans that she could not eat or drink anything. We took her to ER and her kidneys were only 10% functional. She had never had a kidney function failure in her life. She recovered by a miracle and by the carefulness of the doctors in turn. The oncologist stopped the medication and she was never given anything else. It took her 1-2 months to get better, but then she started getting worst. She finally died on November 2014. She was 75 years old. I could never understand why she was given the maximum dose being as small and old as she was. I hope this helps others decide to use this terrible medication. For my family and of course my mother,the remedy was worse than the disease. I think these kinds of medications should even be free if the risks are this high. Miss my mother terribly, because in the hospital, the doctors told me that they could not do anything else for her. It was really tough for her and for us to go back home and wait until she finally died. Read More Read Less

1-16-2015. I have been on Xeloda for one year and despite the hand/foot issues, my CA 27-29 numbers have dropped from 89 to 13. Breast cancer in 6-2007, now three tumors in liver 1-2014. Tumors reduced by 40%. I am pleased with the results and pray all remains the same.

THIS WAS NOT BAD AT ALL,, I was diagnosed 3 months ago with a stage 3 Colo-rectal tumor and 2 lymph nodes involved. My Dr. Has had me on Xeloda and radiation therapy for 5& 1/2 weeks. I'd have to say that the ONLY side effect of the Xeloda was tiredness from having a reduced red blood cell count.. (it dipped down to 9.9 from 14).. The radiation therapy has had WAY worse side effects.. My oncology nurse also told me that RARELY have they had to reduce the Xeloda dose due to side effects.. MOST people tolerate this chemo well, and I'd have to put myself in that category too. So I've got to tell you DO NOT jump to any worries over possible troubles. You'll most likely tolerate this drug well unless you're already very compromised physically. Keep your chin up!!!Read More Read Less

Stage 4 breast cancer that spread to bones and liver. Lesions keep expanding, so started xeloda a month ago, 14 days of taking 4 pills, rest a week, then another 14 days... so far so good. However, I developed sever belly pains and started taking morphine. Had good sense to see gastro dr. and he took me off pain killers and gave me muscle relaxant pill and I am normal. I work full time, and have a sharp pain in the liver, and tingly fingers and toes, but I can live with that. What is meant to be is meant to be, and I live day to day thanking the lord for his gift and just purely enjoying being alive. good luck to you all. Adi Read More Read Less

Stage 3C Colon cancer 2010, treated with surgery and mod.folfox regime; anaphylaxis from oxaliplatin on 12th cycle. Recurrence Jan 2012.I am upto 42 x 3 week cycles-avastin infusion, 2 weeks of Xeloda (3000mg,)1 week rest. I went from multiple lung mets to 4 mets (largest 15mm x 8mm)and have been 'stable' for almost 3 years years. It is hard sometimes to differentiate 'aging' from drug interactions, but I feel blessed that my liver can metabolise this drug. Joint pain,frequent diarrhea etc can be managed and friends with arthritis are more 'slow' than I am. I have permanent neuropathy in hands and feet from the oxaliplatin but I have learned to manage this. I work fulltime and enjoy helping with my 3 grandchildren. My main problems are remembering to take the tablets and to 'pace myself' as fatigue can be a problem. I pray this drug continues to be effectiveRead More Read Less

My wife took this drug for 2 weeks in January of 2013. After 2 weeks of this drug she was in the hospital for a week due to the sensitivity of her small intestine, which became completely blocked. The treatment was very effective. She starts on it tomorrow with a half dose. We shall see

After 2 weeks severe stomach cramps, diarrhea Had to go to hospital for IV after 2 weeks

It wasn't that bad the only thing was decoloration of my feet and hands....they turn very dark... other than that I tolerated.. better than the other chemo I took.. yuck...

very side effect

Doctor started me on a full dose, hands and feet blistered and peeled,joint pain and nerves felt raw and not normal, my hand become weak and painful, then diarrhea and it got so bad, regardless of diet it would not stop without medicine and only then for the duration of the medicine. He took me off of Xeloda for about a month but I am still having uncontrolled diarrhea if Ido or don't take anything for it.My nerves through out my body have not regained their normal feeling yet, I don't think my intestines will ever be normal again. Read More Read Less