Xeloda

nkeelty
nkeelty Member Posts: 18 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Hi all! I have posted before but it has been awhile. I'm 2 and a half years in to my stage 4 diagnosis and am doing ok! My question is does the Xeloda pill take the place of that aful take home pump? I call it my parting gift that I really don't want!

Comments

  • Tunadog
    Tunadog Member Posts: 235 Member
    edited February 2018 #2
    Yes

    It is equivalent to 5/5fu I believe. I’m taking that along with Avastin as my maintenance chemo.

  • nkeelty
    nkeelty Member Posts: 18 Member
    #3
    Tunadog said:

    Yes

    It is equivalent to 5/5fu I believe. I’m taking that along with Avastin as my maintenance chemo.

    oral 5fu

    How often do you have to take it? Does insurance cover it normally?  I am coming off a 1 month chemo break and want to find a way to not have that pump. I am on 5fu, avastin, levourican, and ironitecan.

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #4
    Xeloda

    My insurance covered it.  I was on two weeks of daily pills with one week off.  It was far preferrable to me than having a pump or IV.  Also, taking pills on a daily basis allows you to adjust the dosage if the side effects are bad.  From my perspective, it is a better way to go.

  • nkeelty
    nkeelty Member Posts: 18 Member
    edited February 2018 #5
    SandiaBuddy said:

    Xeloda

    My insurance covered it.  I was on two weeks of daily pills with one week off.  It was far preferrable to me than having a pump or IV.  Also, taking pills on a daily basis allows you to adjust the dosage if the side effects are bad.  From my perspective, it is a better way to go.

    Thanks

    Thank you! I see the doc in just over a week and I am going to ask her about it. I can live with the pump but I would rather not have to deal with it.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #6
    Xeloda

    This is what was a start for me along with radiation, but then after surgery they switched me to the IV chemo cocktail.  The pill was easy but I'm not sure if it is as effective, just don't know that answer. 

    Kim

  • SandiaBuddy
    SandiaBuddy Member Posts: 1,381 Member
    #7
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Xeloda

    This is what was a start for me along with radiation, but then after surgery they switched me to the IV chemo cocktail.  The pill was easy but I'm not sure if it is as effective, just don't know that answer. 

    Kim

    Effectiveness

    My memory from when I researched it was that the pill was slightly more effective than the IV.

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