Xeloda (capecitabine) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain forms of the following cancers in adults:
- Dukes’ C colon cancer (stage 3 colon cancer, which means the cancer has spread through the colon’s lining to nearby lymph nodes)
- metastatic breast cancer
- metastatic colorectal cancer
Xeloda is a type of chemotherapy known as an antimetabolite. Xeloda contains the drug capecitabine, which is a prodrug. A prodrug changes in your body to become an active ingredient. Xeloda is changed to fluorouracil.
Xeloda is a brand-name medication. The pro-drug, capecitabine, is available as a generic. Talk with your doctor to see whether the generic drug may be right for you.
Xeloda comes as an oral tablet.
Dosage summary
The following chart summarizes Xeloda’s dosage. The abbreviation “mg/m2” stands for “milligrams per meters squared.” This is a measurement of body surface area, which is based on your weight and height. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.
| Condition | Strengths and form | Starting dose | How often Xeloda is taken |
| • Dukes’ C colon cancer • metastatic breast cancer • metastatic colorectal cancer | • 150-mg oral tablet • 500-mg oral tablet | 1,250 mg/m2 | two times per day for 2 weeks, followed by 1 week of no treatment |
For information about the dosage of Xeloda, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Xeloda, see this article.
This article describes typical dosing for Xeloda provided by the drug’s manufacturer for colon cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and metastatic colorectal cancer. When taking Xeloda, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
This section describes the typical dosage of Xeloda.
Xeloda form
Xeloda comes as an oral tablet.
Xeloda strengths (150 mg and 500 mg)
Xeloda is available in two strengths: 150 milligrams (mg) and 500 mg.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Xeloda dosages depend on your body surface area (BSA). Your doctor will calculate your BSA based on your weight in kilograms (kg) and your height in centimeters (cm). Your doctor may use a dosage calculator as well as a dosing guide, which the drug’s manufacturer has provided. BSA is measured in meters squared (m2).
Depending on the type of cancer you have, your doctor may prescribe other medications with Xeloda. They can advise you on what the dosages of these other drugs would be.
Xeloda dosage for Dukes’ C colon cancer
The recommended Xeloda dose for Dukes’ C colon cancer in certain situations is 1,250 mg/m2.
The dosing schedule for Xeloda is two times per day for 2 weeks, followed by 1 week of no treatment. This makes a 3-week cycle. You’ll likely take Xeloda for eight 3-week cycles. This equals 6 months (24 weeks).
As a dose example, if your BSA is 1.52 m2 to 1.65 m2, your daily starting dose would be 4,000 mg. You would take four 500-mg tablets in the morning and four 500-mg tablets in the evening.
Xeloda dosage for metastatic breast cancer
The recommended Xeloda dose for metastatic breast cancer in certain situations is 1,250 mg/m2.
The dosing schedule for Xeloda is two times per day for 2 weeks, followed by 1 week of no treatment. This makes a 3-week cycle. You’ll likely continue treatment cycles for as long as Xeloda is safe and effective for you.
As a dose example, if your BSA is 1.52 m2 to 1.65 m2, your daily starting dose would be 4,000 mg. You would take four 500-mg tablets in the morning and four 500-mg tablets in the evening.
Note: Your doctor may prescribe Xeloda alone or in combination with another chemotherapy drug known as docetaxel (Taxotere). They can tell you what the recommended dosage of docetaxel would be for you.
Xeloda dosage for metastatic colorectal cancer
The recommended Xeloda dose for metastatic colorectal cancer in certain situations is 1,250 mg/m2.
The dosing schedule for Xeloda is two times per day for 2 weeks, followed by 1 week of no treatment. This makes a 3-week cycle. You’ll likely continue treatment cycles for as long as Xeloda is safe and effective for you.
As a dose example, if your BSA is 1.52 m2 to 1.65 m2, your daily starting dose would be 4,000 mg. You would take four 500-mg tablets in the morning and four 500-mg tablets in the evening.
Children’s dosage
Xeloda is not approved for use in children. Your child’s doctor can recommend suitable cancer treatments for your child.
Long-term treatment
Xeloda is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Xeloda is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you’re prescribed Xeloda for Dukes’ C colon cancer, you’ll likely take the drug for 6 months.
This section answers some frequently asked questions related to the dosage of Xeloda.
Is there a dosage calculator for Xeloda?
Your doctor may use a dosage calculator to determine your Xeloda dosage. The dosage depends on your body surface area (BSA). Your doctor will calculate your BSA based on your weight in kilograms (kg) and your height in centimeters (cm). BSA is measured in meters squared (m2). To learn more, see the “Xeloda dosage” section above.
If my doctor reduces my Xeloda dose, will they ever increase it?
It’s not likely. Your doctor may reduce your dose of Xeloda for safety reasons.* Because of this, a return to your starting dose is not recommended after your dose has been reduced. However, it’s important that you take the dose your doctor prescribes. You can talk with them if you have additional questions about your Xeloda dose.
* For more information, “Dosage adjustments” in the “Factors affecting dosage” section below.
The Xeloda dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- how well you tolerate Xeloda
- how well your kidneys work
- your body surface area (BSA)*
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Xeloda dosage.
* Your doctor can determine your BSA. It’s based on your weight in kilograms (kg) and your height in centimeters (cm). BSA is measured in meters squared (m2).
Dosage adjustments
If you take Xeloda and blood thinners called coumarins, such as warfarin (Jantoven), you may have an increased risk of bleeding. Because of this, your doctor may adjust your warfarin dose while you take Xeloda. In fact, Xeloda has a
If your kidneys don’t work as well as they should, your doctor may recommend a dose reduction of Xeloda. They’ll also likely lower your dose if you experience certain side effects while taking the medication. Be sure to talk with your doctor right away if you have any side effects.
If you miss a dose of Xeloda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can advise you on whether you should take the missed dose or skip it. You should not take extra doses to make up for a missed dose.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Xeloda is an oral tablet that you should swallow whole. It’s important that you do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. This is because coming into contact with Xeloda tablets that are not intact can be harmful. For example, particles from a crushed tablet could irritate your skin or eyes. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to handle Xeloda safely.
You should take Xeloda with a glass of water within 30 minutes of finishing a meal. You’ll have your first dose in the morning after breakfast and your second dose in the evening after dinner.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug labels and containersIf you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Xeloda in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
If you take more Xeloda than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects.
It’s important that you do not take more Xeloda than your doctor advises.
Symptoms of an overdose
Overdose symptoms of Xeloda can include:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- nausea
- myelosuppression (reduced production of blood cells), which may cause:
- weakness
- skin that’s paler than usual
- bruising or bleeding easily
- infection
- fever
- bleeding and irritation in the digestive tract
If you take more than the recommended amount of Xeloda
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Xeloda. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosage in this article is the typical dosage provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Xeloda for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Xeloda without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Xeloda that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Xeloda. These additional articles might be helpful to you:
- More about Xeloda. For information about other aspects of Xeloda, refer to this article.
- Details about your condition. For details about cancer, see our cancer hub and list of cancer and oncology articles. To learn more about breast cancer, you can also refer to our breast cancer hub and list of related articles. For additional information about colorectal cancer, see our list of colorectal cancer articles.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.