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New search Medicine profile Capecitabine

Clinical medicine profile

Capecitabine

Nucleoside Metabolic Inhibitor [EPC]

POM
Evidence state Source-linked Review date not recorded
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See product SmPC
Schedule
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registered
Patient advice Check interactions
01 Risk first

Safety essentials

The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.

Critical warning

WARNING: SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS OR DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH COMPLETE DPD DEFICIENCY and BLEEDING WITH CONCOMITANT USE OF VITAMIN K ANTAGONISTS Increased risk of serious adverse reactions or death in patients with complete DPD deficiency Test patients for genetic variants of DPYD prior to initiating capecitabine tablets unless immediate treatment is necessary. Avoid use of capecitabine tablets in patients with certain homozygous or compound heterozygous DPYD variants that result in complete DPD deficiency [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Increased risk of bleeding with concomitant use of Vitamin K antagonists Altered coagulation parameters and/or bleeding, including death, have been reported in patients taking c apecitabine tablets concomitantly with oral vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) , Drug Interactions (7.2 ) ] . Clinically significant increases in prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) have been reported in patients who were on stable doses of a vitamin K antagonist at the time capecitabine tablets was introduced. These events occurred in patients with and without liver metastases. Monitor INR more frequently and adjust the dose of the vitamin K antagonist as appropriate [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ] . WARNING: SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS OR DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH COMPLETE DPD DEFICIENCY and BLEEDING WITH CONCOMITANT USE OF VITAMIN K ANTAGONISTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Serious adverse reactions or death may occur in patients with complete DPD deficiency. Test patients for genetic variants of DPYD prior to initiating capecitabine tablets unless immediate treatment is necessary. Avoid use of capecitabine tablets in patients with certain homozygous or compound heterozygous DPYD variants that result in complete DPD deficiency. ( 5.1 ) Altered coagulation parameters and/or bleeding, including death, have been reported in patients taking capecitabine tablets concomitantly with oral vitamin K antagonists. ( 5.2, 7.2 ) Monitor international normalized ratio (INR) more frequently and adjust the dose of the vitamin K antagonist as appropriate. ( 7.2 )

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
  • Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.

Precautions

  • Cardiotoxicity : May be more common in patients with a prior history of coronary artery disease.
  • Withhold capecitabine tablets for cardiotoxicity as appropriate.
  • The safety of resumption of capecitabine tablets in patients with cardiotoxicity that has resolved has not been established.
  • ( 2.5 , 5.3 ) • Diarrhea : Withhold capecitabine tablets and then resume at same or reduced dose, or permanently discontinue, based on severity and occurrence.
  • ( 2.5 , 5.4 ) • Dehydration : Optimize hydration before starting capecitabine tablets.
  • Monitor hydration status and kidney function at baseline and as clinically indicated.
  • Withhold capecitabine tablets and then resume at same or reduced dose, or permanently discontinue, based on severity and occurrence.
  • ( 2.5 , 5.5 ) • Renal Toxicity : Monitor renal function at baseline and as clinically indicated.
  • Optimize hydration before starting capecitabine tablets.
  • Withhold capecitabine tablets and then resume at same or reduced dose, or permanently discontinue, based on severity and occurrence.
  • ( 2.5 , 5.6 ) • Serious Skin Toxicities : Monitor for new or worsening serious skin reactions.
  • Permanently discontinue capecitabine tablets in patients who experience a severe cutaneous adverse reaction.
02 Point of care

Dosing matrix

Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.

Adult

• Single agent: 1,250 mg/m 2 twice daily orally for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle for a maximum of 8 cycles. ( 2.1 ) In combination with Oxaliplatin-Containing Regimens: 1,000 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle for a maximum of 8 cycles in combination with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m 2 administered intravenously on day 1 of each cycle. ( 2.2) Perioperative Treatment of Rectal Cancer • With Concomitant Radiation Therapy: 825 mg/m 2 orally twice daily ( 2.2 ) • Without Radiation Therapy: 1,250 mg/m 2 orally twice daily ( 2.2 ) Unresectable or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: • Single agent: 1,250 mg/m 2 twice daily orally for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. ( 2.2 ) • In Combination with Oxaliplatin: 1,000 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity in combination with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m 2 administered intravenously on day 1 of each cycle. ( 2.2 ) Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer: • Single agent: 1,000 mg/m 2 or 1,250 mg/m 2 twice daily orally for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. ( 2.3 ) • In combination with docetaxel: 1,000 mg/m 2 or 1,250 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of a 21-day cycle, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity in combination with docetaxel at 75 mg/m 2 administered intravenously on day 1 of each cycle ( 2.3 ) Unresectable or Metastatic Gastric, Esophageal, or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer • 625 mg/m 2 orally twice daily on days 1 to 21 of each 21-day cycle for a maximum of 8 cycles in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy. ( 2.4 ) OR • 850 mg/m 2 or 1,000 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity in combination with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m 2 administered intravenously on day 1 of each cycle. ( 2.4 ) HER2-overexpressing metastatic adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction or stomach • 1,000 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity in combination with cisplatin and trastuzumab. ( 2.4 ) Pancreatic cancer • 830 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle for maximum of 6 cycles in combination with gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m 2 administered intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 of each cycle. ( 2.5 ) Refer to Sections 2.5 and 2.6 for information related to dosage modifications for adverse reactions and renal impairment ( 2.5 and 2.6 ). 2.1 Evaluation and Testing of DPD Deficiency Before Initiating Capecitabine Tablets Prior to initiating capecitabine tablets, test patients for genetic variants of the DPYD gene unless immediate treatment is necessary. An FDA-authorized test for the detection of the DPYD gene to identify patients at risk of serious adverse reactions with capecitabine tablets are not currently available. Currently available tests used to identify DPYD variants may vary in accuracy and design (e.g., which DPYD variant(s) they identify). Avoid use of capecitabine tablets in patients known to have certain homozygous or compound heterozygous DPYD variants that result in complete DPD deficiency. No capecitabine tablets dose has been proven safe for patients with complete DPD deficiency. For patients with partial DPD deficiency, individualize the dosage and modify based on tolerability and intent of treatment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Colorectal Cancer Adjuvant Treatment of Colon Cancer Single Agent The recommended dosage of capecitabine tablets is 1,250 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle for a maximum of 8 cycles. In Combination with Oxaliplatin-Containing Regimens The recommended dosage of capecitabine tablets is 1,000 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle for a maximum of 8 cycles in combination with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m 2 administered intravenously on day 1 of each cycle. Refer to the oxaliplatin prescribing information for additional dosing information as appropriate. Perioperative Treatment of Rectal Cancer The recommended dosage of capecitabine is 825 mg/m 2 orally twice daily when administered with concomitant radiation therapy and 1,250 mg/m 2 orally twice daily when administered without radiation therapy as part of a peri-operative combination regimen. Unresectable or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Single Agent The recommended dosage of capecitabine tablets is 1,250 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of a 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. In Combination with Oxaliplatin The recommended dosage of capecitabine tablets is 1,000 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity in combination with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m 2 administered intravenously on day 1 of each cycle. Refer to the Prescribing Information for oxaliplatin for additional dosing information as appropriate. 2.3 Recommended Dosage for Breast Cancer Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer Single Agent The recommended dosage of capecitabine tablets is 1,000 mg/m 2 or 1,250 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of a 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Individualize the dose and dosing schedule of capecitabine tablets based on patient risk factors and adverse reactions. In Combination with Docetaxel The recommended dosage of capecitabine tablets is 1,000 mg/m 2 or 1,250 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of a 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity in combination with docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 administered intravenously on day 1 of each cycle. Refer to the Prescribing Information for docetaxel for additional dosing information as appropriate. 2.4 Recommended Dosage for Gastric, Esophageal, or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer The recommended dosage of capecitabine tablets for unresectable or metastatic gastric, esophageal, or gastroesophageal junction cancer is: 625 mg/m 2 orally twice daily on days 1 to 21 of each 21-day cycle for a maximum of 8 cycles in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy. OR 850 mg/m 2 or 1,000 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity in combination with oxaliplatin 130 mg/m 2 administered intravenously on day 1 of each cycle. Individualize the dose and dosing schedule of capecitabine tablets based on patient risk factors and adverse reactions. The recommended dosage of capecitabine tablets for HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma is 1,000 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity in combination with cisplatin and trastuzumab. Refer to the Prescribing Information for agents used in combination for additional dosing information as appropriate. 2.5 Recommended Dosage for Pancreatic Cancer The recommended dosage of capecitabine tablets is 830 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or for a maximum 6 cycles in combination with gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m 2 administered intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 of each cycle. Refer to Prescribing Information for gemcitabine for additional dosing information as appropriate. 2.6 Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions Monitor patients for adverse reactions and modify dosages of capecitabine tablets as described in Table 1. Do not replace missed doses of capecitabine tablets; instead resume capecitabine tablets with the next planned dosage. When capecitabine tablets is administered with docetaxel, withhold capecitabine tablets and docetaxel until the requirements for resuming both capecitabine tablets and docetaxel are met. Refer to the Prescribing Information for docetaxel for additional dosing information as appropriate. Table 1 Recommended Dosage Modifications for Adverse Reactions Severity Dosage Modification Resume at Sameor Reduced Dose (Percentof Current Dose) Grade 2 1st appearance Withhold until resolved to grade 0-1. 100% 2nd appearance 75% 3rd appearance 50% 4th appearance Permanently discontinue. - Grade 3 1st appearance Withholduntil resolved to grade 0-1. 75% 2nd appearance 50% 3rd appearance Permanently discontinue. - Grade 4 1st appearance Permanently discontinue OR Withhold until resolved to grade 0-1. 50% Hyperbilirubinemia Patients with Grade 3-4 hyperbilirubinemia may resume treatment once the event is Grade 2 or less (less than three times the upper limit of normal), using the percent of current dose as shown in column 3 of Table 1 [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )]. 2.7 Dosage Modification For Renal Impairment Reduce the dose of capecitabine tablets by 25% for patients with creatinine clearance (CLcr) of 30 to 50 mL/min as determined by Cockcroft-Gault equation. A dosage has not been established in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr <30 mL/min) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) ]. 2.8 Administration Round the recommended dosage for patients to the nearest 150 mg dose to provide whole capecitabine tablets. Swallow capecitabine tablets whole with water within 30 minutes after a meal. Do not chew, cut, or crush capecitabine tablets [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.12 )]. Take capecitabine tablets at the same time each day approximately 12 hours apart. Do not take an additional dose after vomiting and continue with the next scheduled dose. Do not take a missed dose and continue with the next scheduled dose. Capecitabine tablet is a hazardous drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.

Paediatric

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of capecitabine tablets in pediatric patients have not been established. Safety and effectiveness were assessed, but not established in two single arm studies in 56 pediatric patients aged 3 months to <17 years with newly diagnosed gliomas. In both trials, pediatric patients received an investigational pediatric formulation of capecitabine concomitantly with and following completion of radiation therapy (total dose of 5580 cGy in 180 cGy fractions). The relative bioavailability of the investigational formulation to capecitabine tablets was similar. The adverse reaction profile was consistent with that of adults, with the exception of laboratory abnormalities which occurred more commonly in pediatric patients. The most frequently reported laboratory abnormalities (per-patient incidence ≥ 40%) were increased ALT (75%), lymphocytopenia (73%), hypokalemia (68%), thrombocytopenia (57%), hypoalbuminemia (55%), neutropenia (50%), low hematocrit (50%), hypocalcemia (48%), hypophosphatemia (45%) and hyponatremia (45%).

Renal

Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.

  • CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic

Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.

03 Clinical use

Use, effects & interactions

Indications

  • for: Colorectal Cancer • adjuvant treatment of patients with Stage III colon cancer as a single agent or as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen.
  • ( 1.1 ) • perioperative treatment of adults with locally advanced rectal cancer as a component of chemoradiotherapy.
  • ( 1.1 ) • treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer as a single agent or as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen.
  • ( 1.1 ) Breast Cancer • treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer as a single agent if an anthracycline-or taxane-containing chemotherapy is not indicated.
  • ( 1.2 ) • treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with docetaxel after disease progression on prior anthracycline-containing chemotherapy.
  • ( 1.2 ) Gastric, Esophageal, or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer • treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic gastric, esophageal, or gastroesophageal junction cancer as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen.
  • ( 1.3 ) • treatment of adults with HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have not received prior treatment for metastatic disease as a component of a combination regimen.
  • ( 1.3 ) Pancreatic Cancer • adjuvant treatment of adults with pancreatic adenocarcinoma as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen.
  • ( 1.4 ) 1.1 Colorectal Cancer Capecitabine tablets are indicated for the: adjuvant treatment of patients with Stage III colon cancer as a single agent or as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen. perioperative treatment of adults with locally advanced rectal cancer as a component of chemoradiotherapy. treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer as a single agent or as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen. 1.2 Breast Cancer Capecitabine tablets are indicated for the: • treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer as a single agent if an anthracycline- or taxanecontaining chemotherapy is not indicated. • treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with docetaxel after disease progression on prior anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. 1.3 Gastric, Esophageal, or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Capecitabine tablets are indicated for the: • treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic gastric, esophageal, or gastroesophageal junction cancer as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen. • treatment of adults with HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who have not received prior treatment for metastatic disease as a component of a combination regimen. 1.4 Pancreatic Cancer Capecitabine tablets are indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adults with pancreatic adenocarcinoma as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Adverse effects

  • labeling: Cardiotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Diarrhea [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Dehydration [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Renal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Serious Skin Toxicities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Hyperbilirubinemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] • Most common adverse reactions in patients who received capecitabine tablets as a single agent for the adjuvant treatment for colon cancer (>30%) were palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, diarrhea, and nausea.
  • ( 6.1 ) • Most common adverse reactions (>30%) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who received capecitabine tablets as a single agent were anemia, diarrhea, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, hyperbilirubinemia, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
  • ( 6.1 ) • Most common adverse reactions (>30%) in patients with metastatic breast cancer who received capecitabine tablets with docetaxel were diarrhea, stomatitis, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, nausea, alopecia, vomiting, edema, and abdominal pain.
  • ( 6.1 ) • Most common adverse reactions (>30%) in patients with metastatic breast cancer who received capecitabine tablets as a single agent were lymphopenia, anemia, diarrhea, handand- foot syndrome, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and dermatitis.
  • ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Dr.
  • Reddy’s Laboratories Inc., at 1-888-375-3784 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
  • Adjuvant Treatment of Colon Cancer Single Agent The safety of capecitabine tablets as a single agent was evaluated in patients with Stage III colon cancer in X-ACT [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].
  • Patients receivedcapecitabine tablets 1,250 mg/m 2 orally twice daily for the first 14 days of a 21-day cycle (N=995) or leucovorin 20 mg/m 2 intravenously followed by fluorouracil 425 mg/m 2 as an intravenous bolus on days 1 to 5 of each 28-day cycle (N=974).
  • Among patients who received capecitabine tablets, the median duration of treatment was 5.4 months.
  • Deaths due to all causes occurred in 0.8% of patients who received capecitabine tablets on study or within 28 days of receiving study drug.
  • Permanent discontinuation due to an adverse reaction occurred in 11% of patients who received capecitabine tablets.
  • Most common adverse reactions (>30%) were palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, diarrhea, and nausea.
  • Tables 2 and 3 summarize the adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities in X-ACT.
  • Table 2 Adverse Reactions (>10%) in Patients Who Received Capecitabine tablets for Adjuvant Treatment of Colon Cancer in X-ACT Adverse Reaction C apecitabine Tablets (N=995) Fluorouracil + Leucovorin (N=974) All Grades (%) Grade 3 or 4 (%) All Grades (%) Grade 3 or 4 (%) Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesiasyndrome 60 17 9 <1 Gastrointestinal Diarrhea 47 12 65 14 Nausea 34 2 47 2 Stomatitis 22 2 60 14 Vomiting 15 2 21 2 Abdominal pain 14 3 16 2 General Fatigue 16 <1 16 1 Asthenia 10 <1 10 1 Lethargy 10 <1 9 <1 Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <10% of patients are presented below: Eye: conjunctivitis Gastrointestinal: constipation, upper abdominal pain, dyspepsia General: pyrexia Metabolism and Nutrition : anorexia Nervous System:d izziness, dysgeusia, headache Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue: rash, alopecia, erythema Table 3 Grade 3 or 4 Laboratory Abnormalities (>1%) in Patients Who Received Capecitabine tablets as a Single Agent for Adjuvant Treatment of Colon Cancer in X- ACT Laboratory Abnormality C apecitabine tablets (N=995) Fluorouracil + Leucovorin (N=974) Grade 3 or 4 (%) Grade 3 or 4 (%) Bilirubin increased 20 6 Lymphocytes decreased 13 13 Neutrophils/granulocytes decreased 2.4 26 Calcium decreased 2.3 2.2 Neutrophils decreased 2.2 26 ALT increased 1.6 0.6 Calcium increased 1.1 0.7 Hemoglobin decreased 1 1.2 Platelets decreased 1 0.7 In Combination with Oxaliplatin-Containing Regimens The safety of capecitabine tablets for the perioperative treatment of adults with Stage III colon cancer as a component of a combination chemotherapy regimen was derived from published literature [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )].
  • Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
  • Document allergy status and key interactions.
04 Pharmacology

Mechanism & disposition

vivo.

Both normal and tumor cells metabolize flu…These metabolites cause cell injury by two…First, FdUMP and the folate cofactor, N 5-…
Read complete mechanism

vivo. Both normal and tumor cells metabolize fluorouracil to 5-fluoro-2’-deoxyuridine monophosphate (FdUMP) and 5-fluorouridine triphosphate (FUTP). These metabolites cause cell injury by two different mechanisms. First, FdUMP and the folate cofactor, N 5-10 -methylenetetrahydrofolate, bind to thymidylate synthase (TS) to form a covalently bound ternary complex. This binding inhibits the formation of thymidylate from 2’-deoxyuridylate. Thymidylate is the necessary precursor of thymidine triphosphate, which is essential for the synthesis of DNA, so that a deficiency of this compound can inhibit cell division. Second, nuclear transcriptional enzymes can mistakenly incorporate FUTP in place of uridine triphosphate (UTP) during the synthesis of RNA. This metabolic error can interfere with RNA processing and protein synthesis.

Onset

Product-specific

Duration

Product-specific

Route

See product SmPC

Absorption

Following oral administration of capecitabine tablets 1,255 mg/m 2 orally twice daily (the recommended dosage when used as single agent), the median Tmax of capecitabine and its metabolite fluorouracil was approximately 1.5 hours and 2 hours, respectively. Effect of Food Followin...

Distribution

Plasma protein binding of capecitabine and its metabolites is less than 60% and is not concentration-dependent. Capecitabine was primarily bound to human albumin (approximately 35%). Following oral administration of capecitabine tablets 7 days before surgery in patients with colo...

Metabolism

Capecitabine undergoes metabolism by carboxylesterase and is hydrolyzed to 5’-DFCR. 5’- DFCR is subsequently converted to 5’-DFUR by cytidine deaminase. 5’-DFUR is then hydrolized by thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase) enzymes to the active metabolite fluorouracil. Fluorouracil is...

Elimination

The elimination half-lives of capecitabine and fluorouracil were approximately 0.75 hour.

05 Special populations

Pregnancy, lactation & diet

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings in animal reproduction studies and its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )], capecitabine tablets can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Available human data with capecitabine tablets use in pregnant women is not sufficient to inform the drug-associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, administration of capecitabine to pregnant animals during the period of organogenesis caused embryolethality and teratogenicity in mice and embryolethality in monkeys at 0.2 and 0.6 times the exposure (AUC) in patients receiving the recommended dose of 1,250 mg/m 2 twice daily, respectively (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Oral administration of capecitabine to pregnant mice during the period of organogenesis at a dose of 198 mg/kg/day caused malformations and embryo lethality. In separate pharmacokinetic studies, this dose in mice produced 5’-DFUR AUC values that were approximately 0.2 times the AUC values in patients administered the recommended daily dose. Malformations in mice included cleft palate, anophthalmia, microphthalmia, oligodactyly, polydactyly, syndactyly, kinky tail and dilation of cerebral ventricles. Oral administration of capecitabine to pregnant monkeys during the period of organogenesis at a dose of 90 mg/kg/day, caused fetal lethality. This dose produced 5’-DFUR AUC values that were approximately 0.6 times the AUC values in patients administered the recommended daily dose.

Lactation

• Lactation : Advise not to breastfeed. ( 8.2 ) • Hepatic Impairment : Monitor patients with hepatic impairment more frequently for adverse reactions. (8.7) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings in animal reproduction studies and its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )], capecitabine tablets can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Available human data with capecitabine tablets use in pregnant women is not sufficient to inform the drug-associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, administration of capecitabine to pregnant animals during the period of organogenesis caused embryolethality and teratogenicity in mice and embryolethality in monkeys at 0.2 and 0.6 times the exposure (AUC) in patients receiving the recommended dose of 1,250 mg/m 2 twice daily, respectively (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Oral administration of capecitabine to pregnant mice during the period of organogenesis at a dose of 198 mg/kg/day caused malformations and embryo lethality. In separate pharmacokinetic studies, this dose in mice produced 5’-DFUR AUC values that were approximately 0.2 times the AUC values in patients administered the recommended daily dose. Malformations in mice included cleft palate, anophthalmia, microphthalmia, oligodactyly, polydactyly, syndactyly, kinky tail and dilation of cerebral ventricles. Oral administration of capecitabine to pregnant monkeys during the period of organogenesis at a dose of 90 mg/kg/day, caused fetal lethality. This dose produced 5’-DFUR AUC values that were approximately 0.6 times the AUC values in patients administered the recommended daily dose. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There is no information regarding the presence of capecitabine or its metabolites in human milk, or on its effects on milk production or the breastfed child. Capecitabine metabolites were present in the milk of lactating mice (see Data). Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with capecitabine tablets and for 1 week after the last dose. Data Lactating mice given a single oral dose of capecitabine excreted significant amounts of capecitabine metabolites into the milk. 8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Capecitabine tablets can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )]. Pregnancy Testing Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating capecitabine tablets. Contraception Females Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with capecitabine tablets and for 6 months after the last dose. Males Based on genotoxicity findings, advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with capecitabine tablets and for 3 months after the last dose [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )]. Infertility Based on animal studies,capecitabine tablets may impair fertility in females and males of reproductive potential [see Nonclinical Toxicology ( 13.1 )]. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of capecitabine tablets in pediatric patients have not been established. Safety and effectiveness were assessed, but not established in two single arm studies in 56 pediatric patients aged 3 months to <17 years with newly diagnosed gliomas. In both trials, pediatric patients received an investigational pediatric formulation of capecitabine concomitantly with and following completion of radiation therapy (total dose of 5580 cGy in 180 cGy fractions). The relative bioavailability of the investigational formulation to capecitabine tablets was similar. The adverse reaction profile was consistent with that of adults, with the exception of laboratory abnormalities which occurred more commonly in pediatric patients. The most frequently reported laboratory abnormalities (per-patient incidence ≥ 40%) were increased ALT (75%), lymphocytopenia (73%), hypokalemia (68%), thrombocytopenia (57%), hypoalbuminemia (55%), neutropenia (50%), low hematocrit (50%), hypocalcemia (48%), hypophosphatemia (45%) and hyponatremia (45%). 8.5 Geriatric Use Of 7938 patients with colorectal cancer who were treated with capecitabine tablets, 33% were older than 65 years. Of the 4536 patients with metastatic breast cancer who were treated with capecitabine tablets, 18% were older than 65 years. Of 1951 patients with gastric, esophageal, or gastrointestinal junction cancer who were treated with capecitabine tablets, 26% were older than 65 years. Of 364 patients with pancreatic cancer who received adjuvant treatment with capecitabine tablets, 47% were 65 years or older. No overall differences in efficacy were observed comparing older versus younger patients with colorectal cancer, gastric, esophageal or gastrointestinal junction cancer, or pancreatic cancer using the approved recommended dosages and treatment regimens. Older patients experience increased gastrointestinal toxicity due to capecitabine tablets compared to younger patients. Deaths from severe enterocolitis, diarrhea, and dehydration have been reported in elderly patients receiving weekly leucovorin and fluorouracil [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )]. 8.6 Renal Impairment The exposure of capecitabine and its inactive metabolites (5-DFUR and FBAL) increases in patients with CLcr <50 mL/min as determined by Cockcroft-Gault [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Reduce the dosage for patients with CLcr of 30 to 50 mL/min [see Dosage and Administration (2.6 )]. There is limited experience with capecitabine tablets in patients with CLcr <30 mL/min, and a dosage has not been established in those patients. If no treatment alternative exists, capecitabine tablets could be administered to such patients on an individual basis applying a reduced starting dose, close monitoring of a patient's clinical and biochemical data and dose modifications guided by observed adverse reactions. 8.7 Hepatic Impairment The exposure of capecitabine increases in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. The effect of severe hepatic impairment on the safety and pharmacokinetics of capecitabine tablets are unknown [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Monitor patients with hepatic impairment more frequently for adverse reactions.

06 Kenya market

Brands & loaded prices

From—
Median—
Listings5
BrandManufacturerPackObserved price
Capecitabine-DRLA DR. REDDY’S LABORATORIES LIMITED Tablet Unavailable
CAPETERO 500 Hetero Labs Ltd Film-Coated Tablet Unavailable
EMCAP 500 MSN HOUSE”, Plot No.: C-24, Industrial… Tablet 500 mg Unavailable
PACSITA 150 AUROBINDO PHARMA LIMITED Film-Coated Tablet Unavailable
PACSITA 500 AUROBINDO PHARMA LIMITED Film-Coated Tablet Unavailable
07 Provenance

Sources & review state

Primary sourceLocal active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewedNot recorded
EvidenceSource-linked
Open source document ↗

Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.