Drug – Capecitabine
Capecitabine
FDA Approved
Risks Associated with Capecitabine
Frequent (Between a 10-50% chance that this will happen)
· Low number of white blood cells which may increase the risk of infection. It may become life-threatening. Symptoms of infection may include fever, pain, redness, and/or difficulty breathing.
· Low number of red blood cells that can causes tiredness and shortness of breath. May require a blood transfusion.
· Loss of appetite and weight loss
· Diarrhea, which is frequent, loose watery stools, which can cause dehydration and may require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous fluids. Severe and prolonged diarrhea can be life-threatening.
· Numbness and tingling in arms, hands, legs or feet.
· Build up of fluid in the body or extremities causing swelling.
· Feeling tired, tiredness, weakness.
· High body temperature, a fever.
· Sores in the mouth and esophagus, which may be painful and cause difficulty swallowing.
· Feeling sick to the stomach
· Low number of platelets, which may cause bleeding and bruising. Bleeding may be serious or life threatening and may required a blood transfusion.
· Vomiting
· Pain
· Blisters on the skin
· Redness, pain or peeling of palms and soles.
Occasional (Between a 1-10% chance that this will happen)
· Any change from the normal heartbeat (abnormal heartbeat) which may be serious or life-threatening.
· Difficulty passing stool
· Dry eye
· Muscle spasms, body aches
· Restlessness, irritability
· Swelling of the face, fingers and lower legs
· Difficulty with balancing
Rare (Less than a 1% chance that this will happen)
· Allergic reaction that may include a rash, hives, fever, difficulty breathing, and low blood pressure. Although usually reversible with treatment, it can be severe or life threatening.
· Loss of muscle coordination including awkward, unsteady walking
· Damage to the heart
· Bleeding internally which may require hospitalization and surgery
· Speech problems
· Vision loss or vision changes that may be reversible.
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