- Search CSN:
- Members: Login to search all areas
- Not a member? Click here to search public areas
You are here
Xeloda Starting Dosage
 |
May 07, 2010 - 7:25 pm
My husband has just completed eight FOLFOX/Avastin treatments (he had to stop Oxi after 4 sessions) for his stage four recurring colorectal cancer with mets to liver and lungs. His most recent CT scans showed stable disease in abdomen, slight decrease in liver, and slight increase in lungs .... his oncologist has switched his treatment to Xeloda pills 4000 mg for two weeks on, one week of, and Avastin every three weeks. Is this high a starting dosage typical? |
Joined: Aug 2006
Xeloda
I took the max dose in 2006 which was 3000mg per day (may be more now) and I got very bad hand and foot syndrome as a result. However, I took it for 15 weeks almost quit week 13 but stuck it out. Still have nerve damage in my feet and one finger. But as I recall the stuff didn't hit me hard until week 3. I'm sure he can take it he sounds like one strong determined guy with what he's been through. All my best! Lou
Joined: Jan 2010
Thank you Lou
He went into his adventure with some existing neuropathy which did get a bit worse with the Oxi. I am hoping that he will not have serious side effects with the Xeloda, but I understand that it is accumulative. Again, thank you or your response.
Joined: Sep 2008
probably typical
I was put on xeloda at 4000mg, 8 pills, 4 in the morning, 4 in the evening. I was supposed to take it for 2 weeks and then take a week off. I had to quit after 9 days with severe hand and foot syndrome, especially the palms and fingers of my hands and also severe mouth sores. After I stopped taking them, the skin on my palms and fingers peeled off completely, my mouth was so bad I couldn't hardly eat anything, blisters on lips and in mouth. I lost 7 or 8 pounds in about 4 days. I've been on every chemo out there the past 3 yrs. I was diagnosed stage 3C but now am stage 4 with mets to lungs and several lymph nodes. My oncologist just started me on Erbitux and Irinotecan yesterday, we will see what happens. I hope and pray that your husband handles the pills better than I did. As soon as he notices his hands getting red and puffy and sore, tell him to let his oncologist know right away, it could get serious fast. I put it off to long and continued to work mowing and weedeating everyday wearing gloves to protect my hands which probably made matters worse due to the extra friction of using my hands to much. He wanted to reduce the dosage down to 3000mg but I just stopped taking them because of how bad everything was. Everybody is different when it comes to side effects. God Bless both of you, stay strong, Randy
Joined: Jan 2010
Randy, I am appreciated your response.
Yes, this is exactly his treatment plan with the Avastin added. It sound as if you had quite a bad experience with the Xeloda and I wish you the best of luck with your new treatment plan. Thank you for your kind words.
Joined: Jan 2010
Stage II here
I too had to quit the oxi. Made it thru' 5 treatments.
Started Xeloda 3,300 mgs. 3 weeks later my Doc dropped me down to 3,000 mgs. Got the hand & foot syndrome. Caught it very early in the game and was reduced to 2,000 mgs.which seems to be the dose for me.
I think they try to go by height/weight. My Doc says that rarely works but it is a starting point and then they can reduce the meds as needed.
Good luck with the Xeloda. At least it is more convenient than the 5-FU pump.Make sure he takes it within 30 minutes of eating and drinks lots of water with it. It is pretty hard on the stomach.
-Pat
Joined: May 2009
I have been on Xeloda since
I have been on Xeloda since Sept 2009. I started at 3600 mg, 7 days on and 7 days off. My onc just reduced the dose to 3000 mg last week. I had mild redness in hands and feet. I have not had any side effects. I also get Avastin every other week. I work full time, travel, exedrcise, and run my 14 year old daughter all over. I take Vit B6 twice a day it is supposed to help with Hand/Foot syndrome. I also use bag balm at least once a day on my hands and feet. I always take the Xeloda 30mins after eating and drind a large glass of water.
I was thrilled to be rid of the 5-FU pump !!
Good Luck,
Brenda
Joined: Jan 2010
Brenda -- This is encouraging.
I know that the Xeloda treatment can vary so much between individuals. I am hoping my husband will be one of the lucky ones like you. He has had no nausea with the 5-FU, only fatigue. He has also continued to work and tries to exercise on his treadmill as much as possible. He is 69 and was in excellent health before his diagnosis. I will suggest the Vit B6 to him and we purchased the bag balm. He thinks it smells like something he should polish his shoes with, but I understand it is helpful. Thanks again for your comments and good luck to you.
Joined: Jan 2010
Glad you responded
It is good to hear both the good and the bad experiences of the Xeloda .... I am glad that you have found a dosage that works for you. It is a shame that one has to get the hand and foot syndrome to signal the necessity of a lower dosage, isn't it? My husband is happy to be without the pump this weekend, but I am privately very afraid for him and what adverse side effects he may have over the next period of time. Thank you for your advice regarding the eating/water.
Joined: Jan 2010
Pat -- message below for you
Still getting a handle on posting replies.
Joined: Jun 2009
Hi D
This is typical and normal to begin treatment.
What he can do as things progesss (the toxicity builds up steadily every week) is to have his onc adjust his dosage down to 3000 mgs a day, but switch to a 7-on and 7-off schedule.
This benefits you 2 ways - it helps on the toxicity of the drug to tolerate it better and it will save you an extra Rx each month - one bottle will carry him a month.
Start out strong like you're doing, but when the feet and stomach begin to give you too much trouble, ask your onc about the switch. You'll still be delivering a very strong dose of chemo, but going from 14/7 to 7/7 will make it much more bearable as the treatment wanes on.
I did Xeloda for 11-months.
Take care - Craig
Joined: Jul 2009
xeloda dosing
My husband started off with 3000mg daily for 7 days and 7 days off but he got bad hand and foot syndrome also after the 5th cycle he got diarrhea and lost like 10lbs that the doc. stopped treatment. After a few weeks when he stabilized he started back at 2000mg daily for 7 days on and 7 days off with avastin and is doing well on that.
Joined: Aug 2018
Just Started with xeloda
Curious as to how many hours between taking xeloda, they recomend 12 hours between but that seems a little too long? Thanks
Joined: Jan 2013
Hello
Just to let you know that this is a very old thread, and many of those posting here have passed away. The member you have replied under has not posted since last year, so may not respond.
Why don't you open up a new thread here https://csn.cancer.org/forum/128 and see if anyone else can help you with your question.
Tru