Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.
capecitabine
Capecitabine is an antimetabolite, belonging to the fluoropyrimidine carbamate class. A prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5FU), capecitabine is converted to its two active metabolites, 5-fluoro-2-deoxyuridine monophosphate (FdUMP) and 5-fluorouridine triphosphate (FUTP) by carboxyesterase, cytidine deaminase and thymidine phosphorylase (present in the liver and in tumours). The cytotoxic effect of capecitabine is produced by inhibition of thymidylate formation, essential for DNA synthesis, and inhibiting RNA and protein synthesis.
| Bioavailability |
Rapid and extensive. Cmax 1.5 hours. |
| Effects with food | Rate and extent of absorption reduced by food. |
| Time to reach steady state |
14 days. |
Widely distributed.
| Cross blood brain barrier? | Not known |
| PPB | < 60%; primarily albumin (35%) |
Capecitabine is extensively bioactivated and metabolized in the liver
| Active metabolites |
Yes (FdUMP and FUTP and others) |
| Inactive metabolites | Yes |
| Urine |
95.5%; 3% unchanged |
| Feces |
2.6% |
| Half-life |
terminal: 45 minutes |
- Colorectal cancer
- Breast cancer
Refer to the product monograph for a full list and details of approved indications.
Other Uses:
- GI cancers (anal, rectal, small bowel, appendiceal, gastric, pancreatic, biliary tract)
- GI neuroendocrine tumours
- Adrenal, renal cell cancer
- Cancer of unknown primary
- Head and neck cancer
Emetogenic Potential:
Extravasation Potential: Not applicable
The following table contains adverse effects reported in ≥ 5% of patients with colon cancer in the adjuvant setting receiving capecitabine as monotherapy. Severe adverse events from other studies or post-marketing may also be included.
| ORGAN SITE | SIDE EFFECT* (%) | ONSET** | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular | Arterial thromboembolism (rare) | E | |||
| Cardiotoxicity (<5%) (maybe severe) | E | ||||
| Venous thromboembolism (rare) | E | ||||
| Dermatological | Alopecia (6%) | E | |||
| Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (PPES) (60%) (maybe severe) | E | ||||
| Rash (6%) (maybe severe) | E | ||||
| Gastrointestinal | Abdominal pain (10%) | E | |||
| Anorexia, weight loss (9%) | E | ||||
| Constipation (6%) | E | ||||
| Dehydration (4%) | E | ||||
| Diarrhea (46%) (maybe severe) | D | ||||
| Dyspepsia (5%) | E | ||||
| GI obstruction (<5%) | E | ||||
| GI perforation (rare) | E | ||||
| Mucositis (22%) | E | ||||
| Nausea, vomiting (33%) | E | ||||
| General | Fatigue (15%) | E | |||
| Hematological | Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (rare) | E | |||
| Myelosuppression ± infection, bleeding (2%) (maybe severe, including atypical infection) | E | ||||
| Hepatobiliary | ↑ Bilirubin (19%) (grade 3/4) | ||||
| Hepatic failure (<1%) | E | ||||
| Hypersensitivity | Hypersensitivity (<1%) | I | |||
| Nervous System | Dizziness (5%) (including vertigo) | E | |||
| Dysgeusia (6%) | E | ||||
| Leukoencephalopathy (very rare) | E | ||||
| Neuropathy (9%) | E | ||||
| Ophthalmic | Conjunctivitis (5%) | D | |||
| Eye disorders (cataract, lacrimal duct stenosis, keratitis - rare) | D | ||||
| Renal | Nephrotoxicity (<1%) | D | |||
* "Incidence" may refer to an absolute value or the higher value from a reported range.
"Rare"
may refer to events with < 1% incidence, reported in post-marketing, phase 1 studies,
isolated data or anecdotal
reports.
** I = immediate (onset in hours to days)
E = early (days to weeks)
D = delayed (weeks to months)
L = late (months to years)
The most common side effects for capecitabine include hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mucositis, ↑ bilirubin, fatigue, abdominal pain, anorexia, weight loss, neuropathy and alopecia.
Patients with very low or absent dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency (rate-limiting enzyme of 5-fluorouracil catabolism) are at increased risk of severe or life-threatening toxicity (i.e. neutropenia, GI and neurotoxicity, including fatalities) and should not receive capecitabine.
Cardiac toxicity is similar to that reported for other fluorinated pyrimidines and includes myocardial infarction, angina, dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, sudden death, ECG changes, and cardiomyopathy. Patients with prior coronary artery disease may be at increased risk.
Dehydration has been observed and may cause acute renal failure which can be fatal. Patients with preexisting renal dysfunction, concomitant use of nephrotoxic drugs, and risk factors such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea are at an increased risk.
The median time to onset of diarrhea is 34 days. The diarrhea may respond to standard anti-diarrheal therapy (e.g. loperamide). Patients with severe diarrhea should be closely monitored and given fluid and electrolyte replacement for dehydration as indicated.
Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (commonly referred to as hand-foot syndrome) is characterized by numbness, dysesthesia or paresthesia, tingling, painless or painful swelling, erythema, desquamation, blistering, and severe pain of the hands and/or feet and is more common in patients also receiving docetaxel. Persistent or severe (grade 2 or higher) hand-foot syndrome may lead to loss of fingerprints, which could impact identification. The median time to onset was 79 days. Dose interruption, subsequent dose reduction and topical emollients (e.g. hand creams, udder balm) may ameliorate the manifestations of hand-foot syndrome. Oral pyridoxine may not be effective in ameliorating hand-foot syndrome in patients receiving capecitabine.
Severe rashes have been reported (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis). Capecitabine must be permanently discontinued and the patient treated appropriately.
Hyperbilirubinemia has been observed in patients with and without hepatic metastases at baseline, though occurring more frequently in patients with hepatic metastases. The median time to onset for grade 3 or 4 hyperbilirubinemia was 64 days. Transaminase and alkaline phosphatase elevations have also been reported
Very rare cases of leukoencephalopathy have been reported.
Refer to protocol by which patient is being treated.
Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline.
Patients should be tested for DPD deficiency before starting treatment with capecitabine. Refer to the DPD Deficiency Guidance for Clinicians for more information.
In patients with unrecognized DPD deficiency, acute, life-threatening toxicity may occur; if acute grade 2-4 toxicity develops, treatment should be stopped immediately and permanent discontinuation considered based on clinical assessment of the toxicities.
Doses are given orally approximately 12 hours apart, within 30 minutes after the end of a meal.
(Total daily dose 2500 mg/m2)
Refer to CAPEDOCE and XELOX regimen monographs for capecitabine dosing in combination with docetaxel or oxaliplatin.
Dose Calculation According to Body Surface Area
Dose level 1250mg/m2 PER DOSE (2500mg/m2/day):
|
1250 mg/m2 PER DOSE |
Number of tablets to be taken at each dose |
||
|
Surface Area (m2) |
Dose (mg)* |
150mg |
500mg |
|
≤ 1.26 |
1500 |
0 |
3 |
|
1.27 – 1.38 |
1650 |
1 |
3 |
|
1.39 – 1.52 |
1800 |
2 |
3 |
|
1.53 – 1.66 |
2000 |
0 |
4 |
|
1.67 – 1.78 |
2150 |
1 |
4 |
|
1.79 – 1.92 |
2300 |
2 |
4 |
|
1.93 – 2.06 |
2500 |
0 |
5 |
|
2.07 – 2.18 |
2650 |
1 |
5 |
|
> 2.19 |
2800 |
2 |
5 |
*given twice daily
Dose level 1000mg/m2 PER DOSE (2000mg/m2/day):
|
1000 mg/m2 PER DOSE |
Number of tablets to be taken at each dose |
||
|
Surface Area (m2) |
Dose (mg)* |
150mg |
500mg |
|
≤ 1.26 |
1150 |
1 |
2 |
|
1.27 – 1.38 |
1300 |
2 |
2 |
|
1.39 – 1.52 |
1450 |
3 |
2 |
|
1.53 – 1.66 |
1600 |
4 |
2 |
|
1.67 – 1.78 |
1750 |
5 |
2 |
|
1.79 – 1.92 |
1800 |
2 |
3 |
|
1.93 – 2.06 |
2000 |
0 |
4 |
|
2.07 – 2.18 |
2150 |
1 |
4 |
|
> 2.19 |
2300 |
2 |
4 |
*given twice daily
Patients with baseline neutrophil counts of <1.5 x 109/L and/or thrombocyte counts of <100 x 109/L should not receive capecitabine therapy
Dose Modification Guidelines for monotherapy:
Patients should be informed of the need to interrupt treatment immediately if moderate or severe toxicity occurs. Supportive care should be provided, including loperamide for diarrhea.
Doses should not be re-escalated if reduced for toxicity. Missed or omitted doses of capecitabine should not be replaced.
Dose modifications are mandatory for gastrointestinal, dermatological toxicity, neurotoxicity and hyperbilirubinemia. Practitioner may elect not to reduce dose for other toxicities unlikely to become serious or life-threatening.
Non-hematologic Toxicity:
|
Toxicity
|
Action During a Course of Therapy |
Dose Adjustment for Next Cycle |
|
Grade 1
|
Maintain dose level
|
Maintain dose level
|
|
Grade 2
1st appearance 2nd appearance 3rd appearance 4th appearance |
Hold until resolved to ≤ grade 1 Hold until resolved to ≤ grade 1 Hold until resolved to ≤ grade 1 Discontinue treatment permanently |
100% 75% 50% Not applicable |
|
Grade 3
1st appearance 2nd appearance 3rd appearance, OR any evidence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Toxic epidermal necrolysis |
Hold until resolved to ≤ grade 1 Hold until resolved to ≤ grade 1 Discontinue treatment permanently |
75% 50% Not applicable |
|
Grade 4
1st appearance, including SJS or TEN, OR cardiotoxicity OR
acute renal failure
2nd appearance OR any occurrence of confirmed leukoencephalopathy
|
Discontinue permanently
OR If physician deems it to be in the patient’s best interest to continue and no evidence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, interrupt until resolved to ≤ grade 1. Discontinue permanently |
Discontinue
OR
50%
Not applicable
|
Hematologic Toxicity:
Hold capecitabine during a treatment cycle in the presence of grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity.
Dose modifications for toxicity for combination regimens:
Refer to the CAPEDOCE and XELOX regimen monographs for capecitabine dose modifications in combination use.
For indicated combinations:
-
If a treatment delay is indicated for either agent, then administration of both capecitabine and the other chemotherapy drug should be delayed until the requirement for starting both drugs are met.
-
During a treatment cycle, if the toxicities are considered by the physician as unrelated to capecitabine, capecitabine may be continued and the dose of the other agent adjusted according to its product monograph.
-
If the other agent needs to be discontinued permanently, capecitabine treatment can be resumed when the requirements for restarting capecitabine are met.
| Hepatic Impairment | Capecitabine Dose |
| Mild to moderate | No starting dose adjustment necessary; monitor closely |
| Severe | No data, has not been studied |
Moderate renal impairment results in an increase in severe toxicity.
|
Creatinine Clearance |
Capecitabine Dose |
|
51 - 80 |
No adjustment required |
|
30 - 50 |
75 % of recommended dose |
|
<30 |
Do not use (Contraindicated) |
No dose adjustment for the starting dose is required but patients should be closely monitored. Older patients (≥ 65 years) are more susceptible to the effects of fluoropyrimidine-based therapies with increased grade 3/4 adverse effects, especially when used in combination.
Safety and efficacy not established.
-
Oral self-administration; drug available by outpatient prescription.
-
Doses are given orally approximately 12 hours apart, within 30 minutes after the end of a meal.
-
Swallow tablets whole; do not crush or cut tablets.
-
If a capecitabine dose is missed, skip this and give the next dose at the usual time. Missed or omitted doses should not be replaced.
-
Store tablets at 15ºC to 30ºC in the original package.
Antidote for Capecitabine Overdose:
Uridine triacetate is a prodrug of uridine and is a specific antidote for treating capecitabine overdose or severe early onset toxicities. If available, consider administering as soon as possible (i.e. within 96 hours) for suspected overdose. If not available, treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
For usage approval and supply, contact Health Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP) (Phone: 613-941-2108. On-call service is available for emergencies).
The recommended dosing and administration for uridine triacetate in patients ≥18 years is:
- 10 grams (1 packet of coated granules) orally every 6 hours for 20 doses in total, without regards to meals.
- Granules should not be chewed. They should be mixed with 3 to 4 ounces of soft foods such as applesauce, pudding or yogurt.
- The dose should be ingested within 30 minutes of preparation, followed by at least 4 ounces of water.
- Refer to the prescribing information on dose preparation for NG-tube or G-tube use.
- Patients who have a known hypersensitivity to capecitabine, its excipients, 5FU or any ingredient in the formulation or component of the container.
- Patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min).
- Patients with known near or complete absence of DPD (dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase) activity. Refer to the DPD Deficiency Guidance for Clinicians for more information.
- Concomitant use with sorivudine or related analogues (i.e. brivudine), given potential fatal drug interaction.
- Contains lactose; carefully consider use in patients with hereditary galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
- Use with caution in patients with risk factors for dehydration, pre-existing renal dysfunction or on nephrotoxic agents.
- Use with caution in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease as well as patients taking anticoagulants such as warfarin.
- Patients with partial DPD deficiency - use with extreme caution. Refer to the DPD Deficiency Guidance for Clinicians for more information.
Other Drug Properties:
-
Carcinogenicity:
Probable
The long-term carcinogenic potential of capecitabine has not been studied, although 5FU has potential carcinogenic and mutagenic effects.
-
Teratogenicity:
Documented in animals
-
Embryotoxicity:
Documented in animals
-
Pregnancy:
Capecitabine is not recommended for use in pregnancy.
- Adequate contraception should be used by patients who can become pregnant and their partners during treatment, and for 6 months after the last dose.
- Adequate contraception should be used by patients who produce sperm and their partners during treatment, and for 3 months after the last dose.
-
Excretion into breast milk:
Probable
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
-
Fertility effects:
Probable
Documented in animal studies
Capecitabine is converted to active 5-FU by the enzyme DPD. The drug likely inhibits CYP2C9, resulting in possible drug interactions with CYP2C9 substrates.
| AGENT | EFFECT | MECHANISM | MANAGEMENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorivudine and chemically related analogues (i.e. brivudine) | ↑ capecitabine toxicity; potentially fatal | Inhibition of DPD by sorivudine | Concomitant use is contraindicated; wait at least 4 weeks after sorivudine (or analogues) treatment before starting capecitabine |
| Phenytoin/Fosphenytoin and CYP 2C9 substrates | ↑ phenytoin levels | Capecitabine may inhibit CYP2C9 | Monitor phenytoin levels; avoid concomitant administration |
| Warfarin | Abnormal INR/PT bleeding; may occur at anytime | Capecitabine may inhibit CYP2C9; ↑ s-warfarin exposure by 57% | Caution; monitor PT and INR and adjust anticoagulant dose accordingly |
| Proton-pump inhibitors | ↓ capecitabine efficacy (secondary analysis of RCT data showed reduced survival with concurrent use of PPIs) | ↓ capecitabine dissolution and/or absorption | Caution and monitor for reduced effectiveness. Consider switching to an antacid |
| Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium hydroxide | small ↑ in plasma concentration of capecitabine | ↑ rate and extent of absorption | Caution (clinical relevance unknown) |
| Leucovorin | ↑ capecitabine toxicity | Potentiates cytotoxicity without increase in efficacy | Caution and monitor |
Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.
Refer to the hepatitis B virus screening and management guideline for monitoring during and after treatment.
| Monitor Type | Monitor Frequency |
|---|---|
CBC |
Baseline and at each visit |
Renal function tests |
Baseline, at each visit, and as clinically indicated |
Liver function tests |
Baseline and as clinically indicated |
INR and/or PT |
Baseline and as clinically indicated if patient is on anticoagulants |
Clinical toxicity assessment for diarrhea, dehydration, infection, stomatitis, rash or hand-foot syndrome, cardiac, hepatic and neurotoxicity |
At each visit |
Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version
Chu MP, Hecht JR, Slamon D. Association of proton pump inhibitors and capecitabine efficacy in advanced gastroesophageal cancer: secondary analysis of the TRIO-013/LOGiC randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncol 2017 Jun 1;3(6):767-73.
Dooley M, Goa KL: Capecitabine. Drugs 1999 Jul: 58(1): 69-76.
Health Canada's Special Access Program, Health Canada. Accessed May 26, 2021.
Kang Y, Lee SS, Yoon DH, et al. Pyridoxine is not effective to prevent hand-foot syndrome associated with capecitabine therapy: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Oncol 2010;28(24):3824-3829.
McEvoy GK, editor. AHFS Drug Information 2009. Bethesda: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, p. 963-71.
Prescribing Information: Uridine triacetate (Vistogard®). Wellstat Therapeutics (US), Feb 2017.
Product monograph: Capecitabine. Jamp Pharmaceuticals Inc., July 2022.
Product monograph: Xeloda® (Capecitabine). Hoffmann-La Roche, September 2022.
Prescribing Information: Xeloda® (Capecitabine). South San Francisco, CA: Genentech USA, Inc; February 2019.
Reigner B, Clive S, Cassidy J, et al. Influence of the antacid Maalox on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine in cancer patients. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 1999;43(4):309-15.
The Medical Letter: 40(1039) November 6, 1998: 106-7.
July 2024 Updated Pregnancy/Lactation and Monitoring sections
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
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