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Indications

High Alert


Contraind./Precautions

Contraindicated in:

Use Cautiously in:

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects

Interactions

Drug-drug:

Drug-Food:

Availability

(Generic available)

Route/Dosage

Colorectal Cancer

Renal Impairment

Renal Impairment

Renal Impairment

Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer

Renal Impairment

Gastric, Esophageal, or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

Renal Impairment

Renal Impairment

Pancreatic Cancer

Renal Impairment

US Brand Names

Xeloda

Action

  • Converted in tissue to 5-fluorouracil, which inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis by preventing thymidine production.
  • The enzyme responsible for the final step in the conversion to 5-fluorouracil may be found in higher concentrations in some tumors.
Therapeutic effects:
  • Decreased spread of colorectal, breast, gastric, esophageal, gastroesophageal junction, and pancreatic cancer.

Classifications

Therapeutic Classification: antineoplastics

Pharmacologic Classification: antimetabolites

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Metabolized mostly in tissue and by the liver to 5-fluorouracil; 5-fluorouracil is metabolized by dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase to a less toxic compound; inactive metabolites are excreted primarily in urine.

Half-Life: 45 min.

Time/Action Profile

(plasma concentrations)

ROUTEONSETPEAKDURATION
POunknown1.5 hr (2 hr for 5-fluorouracil)unknown

Onset of antineoplastic effect is 6 wk.

Peak 5-fluorouracil concentrations occur at 2 hr.



Patient/Family Teaching

Pronunciation

ka-pe-SITE-a-been