Capecitabine
Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy medication (antimetabolite) that is converted to fluorouracil in the body. It is used to treat certain types of cancer, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer, by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy drug used to treat breast, colorectal, and gastric cancers by converting to fluorouracil and disrupting cancer cell DNA and RNA synthesis.
This medication carries a boxed (black box) warning — the strongest type of FDA warning. Review the full prescribing information before use.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- L01BC06
- RxNorm
- 194000
- Generic
- Capecitabine
- Class
- atc-l01
- Brands
- Xeloda
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- oral
- Forms
- tablet
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Capecitabine is used to treat metastatic breast cancer (often with other medications), adjuvant treatment of colon cancer after surgery, and metastatic colorectal and gastric cancers.
Capecitabine is a prodrug that converts to fluorouracil in the body. It then metabolizes into FdUMP and FUTP, which inhibit DNA synthesis and interfere with RNA function, respectively, primarily affecting rapidly dividing cancer cells.
Capecitabine is an oral medication taken twice daily. Common side effects include hand-foot syndrome, diarrhea, nausea, and bone marrow suppression. It has significant drug interactions and is contraindicated in patients with severe kidney impairment or known hypersensitivity. Regular blood monitoring is required during treatment.
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy