Capecitabine (Oral Route)

Side Effects

Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

1. Abdominal or stomach pain
2. diarrhea
3. loss of fingerprints
4. nausea
5. numbness, pain, tingling, or other unusual sensations in the palms of the hands or bottoms of the feet
6. pain, blistering, peeling, redness, or swelling of the palms of the hands or bottoms of the feet
7. pain, redness, swelling, sores, or ulcers in your mouth or on your lips
8. unusual tiredness or weakness
9. vomiting

Less common or rare

1. Abdominal or stomach cramping or pain (severe)
2. agitation
3. back pain
4. bleeding and bruising
5. bleeding gums
6. blood in the urine or stools
7. bloody nose
8. bloody or black, tarry stools
9. blurred vision
10. burning, dry, or itching eyes
11. chest pain
12. chills
13. clumsiness or unsteadiness
14. cold
15. collapse
16. coma
17. confusion
18. constipation
19. convulsions
20. cough or hoarseness (accompanied by fever or chills)
21. cough producing mucus
22. coughing or spitting up blood
23. dark urine
24. decreased frequency or amount of urine
25. difficulty with breathing
26. difficulty with swallowing or pain in the back of throat or chest when swallowing
27. discharge from the eyes
28. drowsiness
29. dry mouth
30. excessive tearing
31. extra heartbeats
32. eye redness, irritation, or pain
33. fainting
34. fast or irregular heartbeat
35. fever or chills
36. flu-like symptoms
37. hallucinations
38. headache, sudden and severe
39. heavier menstrual periods
40. high fever
41. hot, red skin on the feet or legs
42. inability to speak
43. increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
44. increased thirst
45. irritability
46. itching in the genital or other skin areas
47. lightheadedness
48. light-colored stools
49. loss of consciousness
50. lower back or side pain (accompanied by fever or chills)
51. muscle aches or cramps
52. muscle spasms
53. nosebleeds
54. numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
55. painful or difficult urination (accompanied by fever or chills)
56. painful, swollen feet or legs
57. pain, tenderness, or swelling in the upper abdominal or stomach area
58. pale skin
59. paralysis
60. pinpoint red spots on the skin
61. problems with coordination
62. prolonged bleeding from cuts
63. rapid, shallow breathing
64. red or dark brown urine
65. redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
66. scaling
67. seizures
68. severe constipation
69. skin rash or itching
70. slow or irregular heartbeat
71. slurred speech
72. sneezing, sore throat, or stuffy nose
73. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
74. stiff neck
75. stomach bloating, burning, or cramping
76. swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
77. swelling of the lymph nodes
78. swollen glands
79. temporary blindness
80. tiredness or weakness
81. trouble with speaking
82. troubled breathing or tightness in the chest
83. unexplained nosebleeds
84. unusual bleeding or bruising
85. unusual lump or swelling in the chest
86. vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
87. weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
88. weight gain or loss
89. white patches in the mouth or throat or on the tongue
90. white patches with diaper rash
91. yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

1. Chest discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
2. dilated neck veins
3. dizziness
4. extreme fatigue
5. irregular breathing
6. no blood pressure or pulse
7. pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
8. stopping of heart
9. sweating
10. unconsciousness
11. weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

1. Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
2. changes or discoloration in the fingernails or toenails
3. difficulty with moving
4. discouragement
5. headache
6. heartburn
7. increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
8. muscle pain
9. pain
10. pain and redness of the skin at the place of x-ray treatment
11. pain in the joints or limbs
12. red, sore eyes
13. sunken eyes
14. thirst
15. trouble sleeping
16. weakness
17. wrinkled skin

Rare

1. Bone pain
2. change in color of treated skin
3. difficulty with walking
4. discouragement
5. feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
6. feeling sad or empty
7. full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach
8. general feeling of discomfort or illness
9. hot flushes
10. impaired balance
11. increased sweating
12. joint pain
13. lack of appetite
14. loss of interest or pleasure
15. muscle weakness
16. noisy breathing
17. pain in the rectum
18. pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
19. passing less gas
20. rough, scratchy sound to voice
21. runny nose
22. sensation of spinning
23. shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
24. shivering
25. sores on the skin
26. swelling of abdominal or stomach area
27. tremor or shaking of the hands or feet
28. trouble concentrating
29. voice changes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Precautions

Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2022

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