Capecitabine is used in the treatment of cancer of colon and rectum and breast cancer. Capecitabine is an anticancer medication. Inside the body, this medicine gets converted into 5-fluorouracil (chemical). This chemical hampers the synthesis of genetic materials (RNA and DNA) in the cancer cells, thereby interferes with their growth. This slows down the growth of cancer cells and eventually kills them. Common Side effects are Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Diarrhea, Increased bilirubin in the blood, Fatigue, Dehydration, Eye irritation, Hair loss, Fever, Weight loss, Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth), Constipation, Paresthesia (tingling or pricking sensation), Anemia (low number of red blood cells), Hand-foot syndrome, Edema (swelling), Pain, Decreased appetite, Decreased white blood cell count (neutrophils), Low blood platelets, Breathlessness.
