If you have certain kinds of cancer, your doctor might suggest Xeloda as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used to treat the following types of cancer in adults:

  • colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body
  • breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. For this indication, Xeloda may be taken alone or with docetaxel (Taxotere), which is another chemotherapy drug.

Xeloda is used to prevent cancer from returning after treatment.

  • Dukes’ C colorectal cancer, which is cancer that has spread through the colon lining to your lymph nodes

Xeloda comes as a tablet you swallow and contains the active ingredient capecitabine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Capecitabine belongs to a group of chemotherapy drugs called nucleoside metabolic inhibitors.

This article describes the dosages of Xeloda, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Xeloda, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Xeloda’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when using Xeloda, always follow the dosing schedule your doctor gives you.

The standard dosage and administration information for Xeloda is covered in this section. Your doctor will review the instructions for the drug for your condition.

What is Xeloda’s form?

Xeloda is a tablet that you swallow.

What strengths does Xeloda come in?

The Xeloda tablets have two strengths.

  • 150 milligrams is a drug.
  • 500 tablets

What are the usual dosages of Xeloda?

Your doctor will calculate your Xeloda dosage based on your body surface area in square meters (m2). They’ll use Your weight. in kilograms (kg) and Your height. in centimeters (cm) to calculate this number.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

The recommended Xeloda starting dose for all indications is 1,250 mg/m2. You’ll take this dose twice daily, in the morning and evening, for 2 weeks. Then you’ll stop for 1 week. This is one cycle. You’ll repeat this cycle until your doctor recommends you stop.

Your doctor can prescribe a combination of tablets to reach your dose.

Dosing for metastatic breast cancer

The following is the recommended dosage if you’re taking Xeloda alone for breast cancer that has spread to other parts of your body:

  • 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks. Then you’ll stop taking Xeloda for 1 week. Repeat this cycle for as long as your doctor recommends.

If you are taking Xeloda with docetaxel for breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, you should take the following recommended dosages.

  • 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks. Then you’ll stop taking Xeloda for 1 week. Repeat this cycle for as long as your doctor recommends.
  • In addition to Xeloda, you’ll receive a single treatment of 75 mg/m2 of docetaxel every 3 weeks. This is given as a 1-hour intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into your vein given over time) by a healthcare professional.

Dosing for colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body

The recommended Xeloda dosage for colorectal cancer is 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks. Then you’ll stop taking Xeloda for 1 week. Repeat this cycle for as long as your doctor recommends.

Dosing for previously treated Dukes’ C colon cancer

The recommended Xeloda dosage to prevent Dukes’ C colon cancer from returning after treatment is 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks. Then you’ll stop taking Xeloda for 1 week. Repeat this cycle for a total of 8 cycles (about 6 months) or until your doctor advises you to stop treatment.

Is Xeloda used long term?

Your doctor will decide how long you will take Xeloda based on a number of factors.

  • The type of cancer you are treating with Xeloda.
  • You may have side effects from this drug.

“If you are taking Xeloda to prevent Dukes’ C colon cancer from returning, your doctor may have to stop treatment after 6 months.”

“Don’t stop treatment without talking with your doctor, and always take Xeloda as prescribed.”

Dosage adjustments

If you have certain side effects, your doctor may adjust your Xeloda dosage.

Your doctor may be able to tell you how severe your side effects are.

  • You should decrease your dose of Xeloda.
  • temporarily stop your treatment
  • Do you still take Xeloda?

Your doctor may also reduce your Xeloda dosage based on how well your kidneys work.

There are answers to some questions about Xeloda.

Will my doctor use a dose calculator to determine my dosage?

Your doctor will use a formula to determine yourBSA, based on Your height. and weight. They will use this number and a guide to determine your dose. This will determine how many Xeloda tablets you should take.

Your doctor may also use certain calculations to determine how well your kidneys work. They may use this number to decide if you need a Xeloda dose reduction.

If I have radiation therapy while taking Xeloda, will I need a dose reduction?

Possibly. The manufacturer of Xeloda doesn’t specify a recommended dosage if you have radiation therapy while taking this drug. But in some studies, doctors have given people who were using both treatments together a lower dose of Xeloda than the recommended 1,250 mg/m2.

If you are taking Xeloda with radiation therapy, your doctor will decide the right Xeloda dose for you.

If you miss a dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They will let you know if you should take the missed dose or not. You should not take two doses together to make up for missed dose.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Xeloda on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

The amount of Xeloda you are prescribed may be affected by a number of factors. These include:

  • The type and severity of the condition you are treating.
  • Your weight.
  • Your height.
  • How well your kidneys are working?
  • You may have side effects from this medication.
  • You may have other conditions that are not listed under the “What is Xeloda\’s dosage?”

The recommended way to take Xeloda is twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. You can take your dose with water. Xeloda tablets should be chewed whole. Do not chew or crush Xeloda tablets.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. And check out the “Ask a Pharmacist’ section at the end of this article for another possible alternative.

For information on Xeloda expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

“If you can’t read the prescription label on your medication, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies have labels for medication.”

  • Large print or use of blind.
  • You can use a code on a phone to change the text to sound.

“If your current pharmacy doesn’t offer accessibility features, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a new pharmacy.”

Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening bottles. They may be able to deliver Xeloda in a container. They may have tips to make it easier to open the drug container.

If you take more Xeloda than your doctor prescribes, you can have serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

There are symptoms caused by an overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Xeloda

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Xeloda. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages provided by the drug manufacturer are described in the sections above. If your doctor recommends Xeloda, they will prescribe the correct amount.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Xeloda without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Xeloda exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Some questions you may want to ask are listed here.

  • Would a lower dose reduce my risk of side effects?
  • Would my Xeloda dosage change if I stopped taking warfarin?
  • Can I stop taking this drug for a week or more after treatment?

If you have breast cancer, sign up for Healthline’s breast cancer newsletter for news about treatments and first-person stories. Also consider joining Bezzy BC, an online breast cancer community, to connect with others living with the same condition.

Q:

“Can my pharmacy cut my tablets in half if I can’t swallow the whole pill?”

Anonymous

A:

Your pharmacist may be able to cut your Xeloda tablets in half if their pharmacy has the safety equipment necessary to handle chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy medications, such as Xeloda, are considered cytotoxic. This means that they can harm cells. Because of this, pharmacists and doctors must wear special protective equipment, including certain kinds of gloves and gowns, if they’re handling cytotoxic drugs.

Some of the equipment that is used in the pharmacy may not be available. If your pharmacy can cut your Xeloda tablets, you should.

You should not crush or cut your tablets. If you need to have your tablets cut, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.