Xeloda (capecitabine) is a brand-name drug prescribed for certain forms of cancer. Xeloda comes as an oral tablet that’s taken for 2 weeks at a time. The dosage varies depending on what condition the drug is used for.
Xeloda is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults to treat certain forms of the following cancers:
- colorectal cancer
- breast cancer
- gastric, esophageal, and gastroesophageal junction cancer
- pancreatic 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 prodrug, capecitabine, is available as a generic.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Xeloda, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Xeloda, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Xeloda provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Xeloda, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
The following chart summarizes Xeloda’s dosage. The abbreviation “mg/m2” stands for “milligrams per square meter.” This is a measurement of body surface area, which is based on your weight and height.
| Condition | Possible Xeloda dosages |
| colorectal cancer | • 825 mg/m2 twice daily • 1,000 mg/m2 twice daily • 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily |
| breast cancer | • 1,000 mg/m2 twice daily • 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily |
| gastric, esophageal, or gastroesophageal junction cancer | • 625 mg/m2 twice daily • 850 mg/m2 twice daily • 1,000 mg/m2 twice daily |
| pancreatic cancer | • 830 mg/m2 twice daily |
Keep reading for details about typical dosages 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 square meters (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 colorectal cancer
Xeloda’s dosage for colorectal cancer depends on how the drug fits into your overall cancer treatment. Xeloda may be given:
- as adjuvant treatment (that’s added on to your primary colorectal cancer treatment),
- around the time you have surgery for your colorectal cancer, or
- for colorectal cancer that’s metastatic (has spread to other body parts) or can’t be surgically removed
The chart below shows Xeloda’s recommended dosages based on the type of treatment and whether your doctor prescribes Xeloda with oxaliplatin or radiation therapy. Oxaliplatin is a type of chemotherapy.
| Type of Xeloda treatment for colorectal cancer | Recommended dose | Dosing schedule |
| adjuvant (add-on) treatment | • Xeloda by itself: 1,250 mg/m2 • Xeloda with oxaliplatin:* 1,000 mg/m2 | Twice per day for 14 days, followed by 7 days of no treatment. This makes a 21-day cycle. You can take up to 8 cycles of Xeloda. This equals 6 months (24 weeks) of treatment. |
| around surgery | • Xeloda with radiation: 825 mg/m2 • Xeloda without radiation: 1,250 mg/m2 | Twice per day |
| for cancer that’s metastatic or can’t be surgically removed | • Xeloda by itself: 1,250 mg/m2 • Xeloda with oxaliplatin:* 1,000 mg/m2 | Twice per day for 14 days, followed by 7 days of no treatment. This makes a 21-day cycle. You’ll likely take Xeloda until it’s no longer effective or your body can’t tolerate it. |
* Oxaliplatin is given on day 1 of each treatment cycle.
Xeloda dosage for breast cancer
Xeloda’s recommended dosage for advanced or metastatic breast cancer is 1,000 mg/m2 or 1,250 mg/m2. This dose is taken twice per day for 14 days, followed by 7 days of no treatment. This makes a 21-day cycle. You’ll likely take Xeloda until it’s no longer effective or your body can’t tolerate it.
Your doctor might prescribe Xeloda by itself or with docetaxel* (Taxotere) for breast cancer. Docetaxel is a type of chemotherapy.
* Docetaxel is given on day 1 of each treatment cycle.
Xeloda dosage for gastric and esophageal cancer
For gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, or gastroesophageal junction cancer, Xeloda is used when the cancer cannot be removed with surgery or is metastatic. For these types of cancer, there are several possible Xeloda dosages, depending on what other treatments you’re taking.
Your doctor may prescribe a Xeloda dosage of:
- 625 mg/m2, if you take Xeloda with platinum-based chemotherapy
- This dose is taken twice per day for 21 days. This makes a 21-day cycle. You can take up to 8 cycles of Xeloda. This equals 6 months (24 weeks) of treatment.
- 850 mg/m2 or 1,000 mg/m2, if you take Xeloda with oxaliplatin (a type of chemotherapy)*
- This dose is taken twice per day for 14 days, followed by 7 days of no treatment. This makes a 21-day cycle. You’ll likely take Xeloda until it’s no longer effective or your body can’t tolerate it.
If you have HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, your recommended Xeloda dosage is 1,000 mg/m2. This dose is taken twice per day for 14 days, followed by 7 days of no treatment. This makes a 21-day cycle. You’ll likely take Xeloda until it’s no longer effective or your body can’t tolerate it.
* Oxaliplatin is given on day 1 of each treatment cycle.
Xeloda dosage for pancreatic cancer
Xeloda’s recommended dosage for pancreatic cancer is 830 mg/m2 twice per day for 21 days, followed by no treatment for 7 days. This makes a 28-day cycle.
You’ll likely take Xeloda until the drug is no longer effective or your body can’t tolerate it. If your doctor prescribes Xeloda with gemcitabine (a type of chemotherapy),* you can take a maximum of 6 cycles of Xeloda. This equals 6 months (24 weeks) of treatment.
* Gemcitabine is given on days 1, 8, and 15 of each treatment cycle.
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
Depending on your condition, you’ll either take Xeloda for a maximum of 6 months or for as long as it’s effective and your body can tolerate it. See the above “Typical dosages” section for specifics.
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 square meters (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 more questions about your Xeloda dose.
* For more information, see “Dosage adjustments” in the “Factors affecting dosage” section below.
The Xeloda dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your specific condition
- any cancer or other treatments you’ve had previously or are currently having
- how well your body tolerates Xeloda
- how effective Xeloda is for you
- 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 square meters (m2).
Dosage adjustments
If you take Xeloda and a type of oral blood thinner called a vitamin K antagonist, such as warfarin (Jantoven), you may have an increased risk of bleeding. Because of this, your doctor may adjust your blood thinner dose while you take Xeloda. In fact, Xeloda has a boxed warning about the risk of an interaction with these blood thinners.*
If your kidneys don’t work as well as they should, your doctor may recommend a dose reduction of Xeloda.
Your doctor will also likely lower your dose if you experience certain side effects while taking Xeloda. Be sure to talk with your doctor right away if you have any side effects.
* Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the boxed warning at the top of this article.
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 putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. 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 containersSome 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 America’s Poison 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.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Xeloda, see this article. You can also look at the Xeloda prescribing information.
- Cost: If you’d like to learn about Xeloda and cost, see this article.
- Details about your condition: For details about the cancers that Xeloda treats, you can refer to our breast cancer hub, this list of colorectal cancer articles, and our cancer hub.
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.
