Management of Adverse Events and Other Practical Considerations in Patients Receiving Capecitabine (Xeloda)
January 2004
in “
European journal of oncology nursing
”
TLDR Capecitabine is as effective as intravenous treatments with fewer side effects, but requires careful management of Hand-foot syndrome and patient education.
The document from 2004 provides guidance on managing adverse events in patients treated with capecitabine (Xeloda®), an oral chemotherapy drug. It reports that capecitabine has a favorable safety profile with fewer side effects like diarrhea, stomatitis, nausea, alopecia, and neutropenia compared to intravenous 5-FU, but with a higher incidence of Hand-foot syndrome (HFS). Large phase III trials in metastatic colorectal cancer and early-stage colon cancer, as well as phase II trials in metastatic breast cancer, support these findings. The document underscores the importance of patient education, appropriate dosing, and administration, as well as the management of side effects through dose modifications or temporary interruptions without reducing the drug's efficacy. Oncology nurses are highlighted as key in providing patient education and support for home-based therapy. Additionally, the document outlines practical dos and don'ts for patients, including the necessity of contacting healthcare providers in case of certain symptoms or overdose, and confirms that capecitabine is as effective as intravenous treatments while offering more freedom from hospital visits.
