Capetero 500mg Tablet is used in the treatment of cancer of the breast, colon, and rectum. The doctor may also use it to treat other conditions. Chemotherapy uses it alone or in combination with other medicines.
Capecitabine 500mg Tablet should be taken with food within 30 minutes after eating a meal. Your doctor will determine your dose and frequency. Your treatment plan will determine this, and it may fluctuate over time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it the wrong way or too much can cause very serious side effects. Not stopping it without your doctor's permission may take weeks or months to see or feel the benefits.
Before starting this medication, inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney issues or if you are taking any medications to treat infections. This medicine may interact with other drugs, so make sure to provide your doctor with a full list of all medications you are currently using. We do not recommend using this medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Both males and females should use effective contraception during treatment to prevent pregnancy.
Uses of Capetero 500mg tablet
1. Adjuvant colon cancer
2. Metastatic colorectal cancer
3. Metastatic breast cancer
How to use Capetero 500mg tablet
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, in the recommended dose, and for the advised duration. Swallow the tablet whole—do not chew, crush, or break it. Capetero 500 mg Tablet should be taken with food.
How Capetero tablet works
Capetero tablet is an anticancer medication that is converted into a chemical called 5-fluorouracil inside the body. This chemical disrupts the synthesis of genetic material (RNA and DNA) in cancer cells, preventing their growth. As a result, it slows the progression of cancer cells and ultimately destroys them.
Therapeutic Effects of Capetero Capecitabine tablet
Capetero Capecitabine tablet may be prescribed on its own or in combination with other anticancer medications, such as docetaxel and oxaliplatin. It works by inhibiting DNA synthesis, which halts the growth of cancer cells. Once within the body, it transforms into its active form, fluorouracil, which disrupts cell signaling and stops cancer cells from proliferating.
More information about Capetero tablet
1. Store the capecitabine tablet in the original package at room temperature (20°C to 25°C). Do not freeze.
2. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
3. It is important to get the dose at the scheduled time. If you missed the schedule, contact your doctor and reschedule the dose.
1. Genentech USA, Inc, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on March 2015] [ Accessed on 9th March 2023],https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/020896s037lbl.pdf
2. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 864.
3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Cytotoxic agents, 12th edition, 2011, 1698.
FAQ - Capecitabine
1Is Capecitabine 500mg prescribed as a monotherapy?
Capecitabine 500mg is prescribed as monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer agents, such as docetaxel for breast cancer and oxaliplatin for colorectal cancer.
2What tests are necessary before starting treatment with Capecitabine 500mg?
Before beginning treatment with Capecitabine 500mg, your healthcare provider may recommend tests for pregnancy, DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency, prothrombin time, INR, kidney function, and serum electrolytes.
3Is it safe to have surgery while undergoing treatment with Capecitabine 500mg?
It is recommended to avoid scheduling surgery while undergoing treatment with Capecitabine 500mg. Inform your physician if you need to undergo any surgery or dental procedures.
4What should you do if you miss a dose of Capecitabine 500mg?
If you miss a dose of Capecitabine 500mg Tablet, skip that dose and do not take two tablets to compensate for it. If you have missed more than two doses of this medication, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
5Who should avoid taking Capecitabine 500mg?
Capecitabine 500mg is not recommended for individuals who are allergic to this medication, 5-fluorouracil, or its components. Those with severe kidney disease and DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) deficiency should also avoid it.
6Capecitabine mechanism of action
Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy medication that acts as a prodrug, meaning it is converted into its active form within the body. Here’s a brief overview of its mechanism of action:
1. Conversion to 5-Fluorouracil: After administration, capecitabine is metabolized primarily in the liver and tumor tissues to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an active chemotherapy agent.
2. Inhibition of DNA and RNA Synthesis: 5-FU interferes with the synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) by inhibiting key enzymes involved in their production. Specifically, it inhibits thymidylate synthase, which is crucial for the synthesis of thymidine, a nucleotide necessary for DNA replication.
3. Disruption of Cell Division: By disrupting the production of DNA and RNA, 5-FU ultimately prevents cancer cells from dividing and proliferating. This leads to a reduction in tumor growth.
4. Cell Cycle Specificity: Capecitabine is more effective against rapidly dividing cancer cells, making it particularly useful for treating certain types of cancers, such as colorectal and breast cancer.
5. Targeted Delivery: The metabolism of capecitabine is enhanced in tumor tissues due to higher levels of the enzyme thymidine phosphorylase, leading to a higher concentration of the active drug in the tumors compared to normal tissues. This targeted action helps to minimize damage to healthy cells.
Through this mechanism, capecitabine effectively slows the progression of cancer and contributes to tumor regression.
1. Loss of appetite
2. Weight loss
3. Insomnia, depression
4. Headache, dizziness
5. Eye irritation, redness, and increased tears.
6. Inflammation of veins
7. Runny nose, fever
8. Infections
9. Hair loss
10. Pain in joints and back
11. Dry mouth, indigestion
12. Constipation
