Xeloda Dosage

[ForestHermit]

2week on 1 off Scedule is seeming to be to harsh. Any Ladies have experience with better dosages and Scedules that worked best for them. Really struggling here and wondering if this is hurting Liver more than helping Mets at this point.

[Cherry38]

Hi ForestHermit. I am sorry to hear you are struggling with Xeloda.

I was only on the drug 3 months due to having progression.

I was on 8 tablets a day 2 weeks on 1 off. I struggled so much with muscle pain, I couldn't walk well.

So my oncologist dropped the dose to 7, 4 in the morning and 3 in the evening. It made a big difference and my oncologist said again I can drop the dose if Istill struggled. 7 worked for me. It was a shame I got progression but it was because i have the pik3ca mutation. I am now on my 4th line as my cancer has changed to TNBC from my first diagnoses at 49 denova of er+pr+,her2 negative in 2022.

I have done two clinical trials too. I am now on doxorubicin pegylated liposomal every 28 days. I have mets to my bones mainly Spine and liver.

I would ask your oncologist can you drop a tablet or 2 to see if that makes a difference. They always put you on the highest dose due to body weight etc. But you know yourself, quality of life is important and it can still work as well on a lower dose. Can you ring your medical team for advice as soon as possible. Just one tablet down for me made a massive difference.

Big hugs lovely. Keep strong 💪 🩷🩷

[awesome4ever]

Hi ForestHermit. Sorry you are experiencing such harsh side effects from Xeloda. Make sure you are closely following the administration tips for taking the drug. It has to be within 30 minutes of eating food and with a full glass of water to aid absorption and more importantly 12 hours apart. I imagine the first thing your oncologist will do is a dose reduction and often that is very helpful. I know you are in Canada and Health Canada still only supports the 2 weeks on, 1 week off schedule so unfortunately it may be hard to convince your oncologist to change the scheduling for that reason. However saying that there is definitely compelling evidence from reputable sources that the 1 week on, 1 week off is equally effective with less side effects. I know Xeloda(Capecitabine) will be my next drug so I will definitely be ready with evidence based documents to support what I want to do with regards to scheduling.

You didn't elaborate on what side effects you were experiencing. I think all of us have to prepare ourselves for more side effects as we move forward taking more toxic drugs. Xeloda is the actual first oral chemotherapy drug. It's been around since 1998 so it has proven itself. You just have to find a way to make it work for you if you can. Good luck.

There was a recent post from someone about to switch to Xeloda and there were lots of advise in there from ladies who it worked well from. I'll link the post and it might be good to give it a read.

healthunlocked.com/share-me.......

[Fiercefighter13]

Hi ForestHermit, I've been on Xeloda now going on month 13. The side effects can seem very daunting, although changing up the schedule and/or dosing does help. I've been on 7 days on, 7 days off all along and that has worked well for me. I played with it a bit changing up the dosing and extending the days on, but it all worked itself back to 7 on 7 off being the easiest to work with. Hope this helps!

[Browniem]

My wife was on the same schedule for first couple of months. Her oncologist then switched her to one week, one week off (1500 mg in morning and 1500 at night). She has been on this schedule and dosage for last 6 months. It has been fairly well tolerated ( mainly fatigue and some foot issues).

All the best