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Capecitabine Side Effects

Capecitabine is a drug used to treat certain types of cancer such as breast and colorectal. According to medicinenet.com, "Capecitabine kills cancer cells and shrinks tumors by blocking the process by which the cells divide and are formed (DNA/RNA synthesis)." Patients have reported many mild to severe side effects while being treated with this drug.

  1. Side Effects-Gastrointestinal

    • While being treated with Capecitabine, patients have reported many gastrointestinal side effects. Drugs.com explains that these include diarrhea in nearly 50 percent of patients, nausea (44 percent), vomiting (26 percent), stomatitis (23 percent), abdominal pain (17 percent), constipation (9 percent) and indigestion in 6 percent of those being treated. Though many of these are not severe, contact your physician if they become persistent or worsen.

    Side Effects-Hematologic

    • Hematologic side effects have been experience by many taking Capecitabine and have been severe. As reported by drugs.com, patients have had low levels of white blood cells (58 to 94 percent), anemia (44 to 74 percent) and low number of platelets in the blood (15 to 21 percent). Drugs.com also states that patient's bodies react to this drug by not making enough white blood cells. This disorder has been reported in nearly 20 percent of those treated.

    Side Effects-Dermatologic

    • According to drugs.com, dermatologic side effects are common in those taking Capecitabine. These include hand and foot syndrome (35 to 45 percent), dermatitis (23 to 31 percent), disorders of the nails, hair loss, rash and itchiness. Maligna-like lesions, radiation recall dermatitis, skin growths and increases in pigmentation have also been experienced by those being treated with this drug. Inflammation and swelling of the skin may also be possible states drugs.com.

    Allergic Reaction

    • Severe allergic reactions are possible while taking Capecitabine. Symptoms of an allergic reaction as explained by drugs.com include, swelling of the face, mouth and tongue, severe rash, bloody stools, bloody diarrhea, chest pain, decreased amount of urine, dry mouth, fast or irregular heart beat and high fever and chills. Other symptoms are severe vomiting, pain in the legs, tingling, numbness, mood changes, unusual bruising and bleeding, fatigue, changes in vision and change in color of the skin.

    Further Side Effects

    • Other side effects associated with Capecitabine include limb pain, anorexia (20 percent), dehydration, tingling sensation (12 percent), headache, dizziness and insomnia. Additional mild to severe side effects are tiredness, eye irritation. edema, severe chest pain, muscle aches and pains, and fever states drugs.com. If any of these become serious or are persistent, seek immediate medical attention as treatment may need to be stopped or dosages may need to be adjusted.

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