Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Teva Capecitabine.
Anemia: Capecitabine may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells, including red blood cells, in your blood.
Birth control: Women of childbearing age must avoid getting pregnant if either she or her partner is taking capecitabine. Women taking capecitabine should use effective birth control while taking the medication and for 6 months after the last dose. Men taking capecitabine whose partners may become pregnant should use effective birth control for at least 3 months after taking the last dose.
Bleeding: Capecitabine may cause a reduced number of platelets in the blood, which can make it difficult to stop cuts from bleeding. If you notice any signs of bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, or black and tarry stools, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will order routine blood tests to make sure potential problems are caught early.
Diarrhea or dehydration: Teva Capecitabine frequently causes diarrhea. If you develop diarrhea that occurs more than 4 times a day or at all during the night, contact your doctor. Your doctor will monitor you closely for dehydration. Severe dehydration can cause rapid loss of kidney function and is a medical emergency. If you experience any symptoms of severe dehydration (e.g., increased thirst, Dry Mouth), stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.
Drowsiness/dizziness: Capecitabine may cause drowsiness or dizziness, affecting your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how Teva Capecitabine affects you.
Hand and foot syndrome: Teva Capecitabine can cause hand and foot syndrome (numbness, redness, tingling, burning, or pain in the hands and feet; blistering or peeling of the hands and feet). If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor. If the symptoms are severe and interfere with your ability to walk or do other daily activities, stop taking Teva Capecitabine and contact your doctor immediately.
Heart disease: People with a history of heart disease may be more likely to experience side effects that affect the heart when taking Teva Capecitabine. Stop using the medication and contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as abnormal heart rate, chest pain, and swelling of your extremities while taking Teva Capecitabine.
Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, capecitabine can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people with contagious infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.
Kidney Disease: If you have reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Teva Capecitabine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Teva Capecitabine, and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with moderately-to-severely reduced kidney function will need lower doses of Teva Capecitabine.
Liver function: If you have reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how Teva Capecitabine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Teva Capecitabine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Skin rash: In rare instances, people taking capecitabine experience a severe skin reaction that can be life-threatening. If you experience a rash that gets worse, or develops into blisters, sores on the lips or eyes, or covers a large area of the body, contact your doctor immediately.
Pregnancy: Teva Capecitabine may harm the baby if used during pregnancy. Both men and women should use effective birth control (e.g., condoms, birth control pill) during treatment. If you or your partner become pregnant while taking Teva Capecitabine, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if capecitabine passes into breast milk. Because of the risks associated with Teva Capecitabine, women should not breast-feed while taking capecitabine and for 2 weeks after the final dose.
Children and adolescents: The safety and effectiveness of using Teva Capecitabine have not been established for children under 18 years of age.
Seniors: People over the age of 60 may be at an increased risk of side effects from Teva Capecitabine.
