How Effective and What is the Cost and Cost Benefit of Capecitabine?

ByPrimary Researcher

Executive Summary

  • Capecitabine is taken as a treatment for breast and colorectal cancer.
  • We have never seen a cost-benefit analysis for this drug, so we have done that in this article.

Introduction

As you can read in the articles on this site on Chemotherapy, chemotherapy is an extremely overrated treatment.

However, most subscribers who come to the site with their mind set on chemotherapy still go through it after reading our section. Capecitabine is often taken with chemotherapy drugs but is also frequently taken alone. The concept of this type of drug called an antimetabolite, is that it reduces the replication of DNA, and this more intensively affects cancer cells as they divide very rapidly. 

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Comments on Capecitabine

The following comments are from Drug.com on Capecitabine.

Comment #1: A Chemotherapy Drug With Moderate Side Effects?

I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in January 2020. I under went 6 weeks of Capecitabine along with 6 weeks targeted radiation. The combination shrunk my tumour 1.5 inches which was considered a great success for when I had surgery in July of 2020. I had a bit of nausea and was very exhausted. Some tingling in my thumb and fingers. Also had some diarrhea occasionally.

My hair has never been healthier …. zero hair loss. At one point I had some mouth tenderness but never open sores. I have recently just finished 4 months of follow up chemo (Capecitabine)and currently recovering from side effects such as extreme fatigue, muscle aches, limited nausea and diarrhea. Also I’ve had split and peeling skin on thumbs and fingers all in all my experience with Capecitabine has been good. I’ve been told that there is zero sign of any cancer left , CT scan last week will tell the tale.

The side effects of chemotherapy are one of the biggest concerns. At a certain point, if side effects are harmful enough, the immune system is so compromised by the chemotherapy that it can’t fight the cancer.

Comment #2: Similar Moderate Side Effects?

I have been taking Capecitabine 500mg. For approximately 5 months with only a few side effects I am on one week and off the next. I am tired during the week I am on with occasional diarrhea. I have noticed my hair thinning more but not too extreme. This is working for me.

These are commonly reported side effects of Capecitabine.

Comment #3: Awful Side Effects?

Chemo pill that is so awful!!!! I didn’t have as many side effects taking AC (Adriamycina & Cyclophosphamide) chemo. I do have so many side effects with these awful pills. The thought of enduring 5 more extremely awful months is almost unimaginable.

This reviewer is incorrect in stating that Capecitabine is a chemotherapy pill. As I said earlier in this article, Capecitabine is an antimetabolite. This reviewer may attribute their chemotherapy side effects to Capecitabine as they take both simultaneously.