Description

Capegard 500 mg (Capecitabine) – Oral Therapy for Breast, Colon & Gastric Cancer

Capegard 500 mg tablet contains capecitabine, an oral prodrug of 5‑fluorouracil (5‑FU) used in treating metastatic breast, colorectal, and gastric cancers either alone or alongside other agents like docetaxel or oxaliplatin. It’s supplied by Cipla and dosed in 21‑day cycles: 14 days on treatment, 7 days off. 

🎯 Indications & Dosing Regimen

• Adjuvant or metastatic treatment of breast cancer—especially when anthracycline or taxane regimens are unsuitable.
• Colorectal cancer, including unresectable and metastatic cases, as mono- or combination therapy.
• Used in gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancers with platinum agents.
• Common schedule: 1,250 mg/m² twice daily for 14 days followed by 7 days rest per cycle. 

⚠️ Side Effects to Monitor

• Very common (>10%): diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, hand-foot syndrome, hair loss, stomatitis, loss of appetite, myelosuppression and rash. 
• Serious: cardiotoxicity (chest pain, arrhythmias), severe neutropenia, dehydration, hepatotoxicity, Stevens–Johnson syndrome.

💉 Precautions, Monitoring & Contraindications

• Contraindicated in DPD deficiency, pregnancy, breastfeeding, severe renal or hepatic impairment, or known fluoropyrimidine allergy. 
• Monitor complete blood count, liver and renal function periodically; adjust dose as required. 
• Avoid live vaccines—capecitabine is immunosuppressive and may reduce vaccine efficacy. 
• High risk of bleeding when combined with anticoagulants like warfarin—use caution and monitor INR closely. 
• Contraception: Females should use effective birth control during and 6 months after treatment; males should also use barrier methods for 3 months post-treatment. 

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as remembered unless it’s close (< 2 hours) to the next dose. Do not double dose; continue regular schedule. 

2. Is food intake important?

Yes—take Capegard within 30 minutes after a major meal to improve absorption and reduce GI irritation. 

3. When does efficacy begin to show?

Symptom improvement and tumor markers may respond after 1–2 cycles; response assessment is typically performed every 6–8 weeks. 

4. How to manage hand-foot syndrome?

Keep skin moisturized, avoid heat/pressure on palms and soles; dose reductions or treatment breaks may be needed. 

5. Can alcohol be consumed?

No clear safety data—may exacerbate dehydration or gastrointestinal side effects. Best avoided.