CAPECCITABINE: Capecitabine is a prodrug that is converted to Hrorourcial in body tissue. Fluorouracil, an anglogue of the pyrimidine uracil is an antineoplastic that acts as an antimetabolite.

Indications: It is used or in combination in the adjuvant and palliative treatment of gastrointestinal cancer & breast cancer.

Dosage: Adult: 2.5g/m2 body surface n 2 divided doses daily, 12 hrs apart with food for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period, therapy to be given in 3-week cycles. In combination with docetaxel : 1250g/m2 bid for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period. Courses of therapy to be given in 3-week cycles.

Contra indications: History of severe and unexpected reaction to fluoropyrimidine therapy severe renal impairment; pregnancy, lactation Hypersensitivity.

Drug Interactions: Antacids containing aluminum and magnesium leucovorin anticoagulants phenytoin, allopurinol

Precautions: Hepatic dysfunction, bone marrow suppression poor nutritionla status on warfarin therapy child, elderly, patients who received Moderate renal impairmet; CBC with differertial hepatic and renal function should be monitored Discontinue use if intractable diarrhoea, stomatitis bone marrow suppression or myocardial ischaemia develops.

Adverse reactions: Diarhoea, nausea and vomiting stomatitis, palame-plantar syndrome 9erythema and dequamation of hands and feet). Dermitis Fatigue, mucosal inflammation pyrexia, asthenia lower limb oedema, anorexia dehydration.