Hello Josiejonno, 

I hope that you will meet others here who have been on the Capecitabine chemo tablets and that they will come and share their experience with you and whether they themselves suffered any side effects. Quite a few members of our forum have taken Capecitabine, for example [@Cutie]‍ mentions it on this thread . I hope that you will hear from some of our members' experiences of these chemo tablets. Everyone experiences different possible side effects though and your dad may not even get any but we do have detailed information on what these might be here. 

It might be worth double checking with your pharmacist and your dad's consultant how many tablets he needs to take a day just to make sure this is the correct prescribed dosage for him. 

I hope your dad's treatment goes well and that he doesn't get any side effects. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi

I am on 2nd cycle of capecitabine and take 8 500mg per day for 14 days. S Then 7 days off  so far I have not felt too bad just tired. I take 4 after bfast and 4 after evening meal. Was given anti sickness drugs and drugs for dirrahoea but not needed any of those so far!  I also have to apply moisturiser ceam to hands and feet daily and they can get dry and sore I'm told on this drug.

Hope all goes well  for your dad sending best wishes

Hi

i have been on capecitibne tablets for almost 10 years now, and take 8 per day, 14days out of 21.  My encologist says I am a great advert for the treatment.  I have secondary breast cancer, diagnosed July 2010.

The tablets have been so much easier to cope with than my first 2 chemos which didn't work.  My hair hasn't come out, I am only sick very very occasionally, and mostly I am ok with it.  I do have other side effects like extremely dry skin, dry mouth, dry eyes...you get the picture but it's great being alive!  

Thanks so much [@Cutie]‍ for your insight on these tablets. The nurses have mentioned the dry skin on hands and feet a few times so will Get prepared for that.

brilliant news that you haven't had any sickness or diarrhoea; im praying that my Dad is spared that as well. 
thanks for your kind wishes, and I hope the treatment continues to be go well for you. 
j xxxx

Thanks Lucie. [@alimow]‍ and [@Cutie]‍ have sent really helpful insight into capecitabine. Want to have as much background knowledge as possible before my dad starts so this is really helpful! 
thank you so much; this site is invaluable xxx

Hi

Such inspiring news to hear you have been on the tablets for so long and they are working Everything I have tried has only worked for a short time then stopped and cancer even continued to grow during 18 sessions of chemo even though scan showed half way through was shrinking!

You have given me hope thank you

Best Wishes and continued success 

Xx

Hi Josiejonno

I have been on Capecitabine for nearly six months, I'm about to start my 8th cycle. I have generally tolerated them very well. The worst problem is the problem with hands and feet that others have mentioned. In fact, it has been almost entirely my hands that have had the worse side effects. The skin cracks, and are very sensitive at the fingertips. I called my oncology nurse today as I have tiny wounds appearing on my thumb-tips, like splinter wounds (one on each thumb). The nurse said this will be the Capecitabine. I have been using a moistursing cream called "Udderly Smooth" and was told today to use it lavishly, especially last thing at night.  Another tip I jhad was to get some white cotton gloves and put them on at night, after moisturising (I must admit I havent actually done this though!). The Udderly Smooth cream was recommended by several people - apparently the factor that makes a difference is the 10% Urea content. 

I have a bit of nausea and problems with my taste buds these last two cycles - I'm not sure if this is related to the Capecitabine or the Oxaliplatin that I get via infusion every 3 weeks.

My dose is three tablets twice a day - 2 x 500mg and 1x150mg.  Its common for them to be taken 14 days out of a 21 day cycle although I actually take them 21 out of 21 days, so I have been on them pretty much permanently sice last September! 

I had a scan after 4 cycles of Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine and it showed a reduction in size and number of lesions in my liver - two 'disappeard' and the remainder all reduced in size by more than 50%. :) 

I hope your father finds he tolerarates them well and that he experiences good results with them.

Thanks so much [@Squire]‍ for your reply. I think my dads dosage is the same as yours, so your insight is so positive and helpful. Such brilliant news about the reduction in the lesions! My dad is being scanned after his next round so we're keeping everything crossed for that. I had heard about the Dryness and issues with hands and feet and we had been looking at cream so having taking your recommendation so thank you so much for that! I really hope your treatment continues to go as well as it is and you keep getting positive results! 
with very best wishes and many many thanks xx xx

Hi 

I am due to start cycle 4 this week had to get an extra week off as had a few side effects sore hands and feet and diarrhoea. I have also had some discoloration of skin under my arm on my recon side where the skin is brown. I have had a lot of chest pain especially at night not sure if from cancer or inflammation on breast bone which is quite swollen cancer is behind. I'm due at hospital tmw so hoping get some answers and back on the drugs.

Take care