This leaflet provides information on a course of chemotherapy called cisplatin and capecitabine. It will explain what this is and when and how it will be given. It will also tell you about common side effects that you may experience. Contact telephone numbers and details of how to obtain further information are given at the end of the leaflet.
This leaflet should be read alongside the ‘General information for patients receiving chemotherapy’ folder. If you haven’t received this folder please ask your nurse for a copy.
This is a course of treatment which consists of two drugs:
Your doctor has prescribed this chemotherapy because it has been found to be effective in treating your type of cancer.
For this treatment to be most effective it will be given at specific time intervals. These are known as cycles. It is usual to have a cycle of cisplatin and capecitabine every three weeks for up to six cycles. This can vary, your doctor will discuss the exact number of cycles you will have.
In each three week cycle you will receive the cisplatin treatment once. The capecitabine tablets are taken twice a day for the whole course of treatment.
To receive your chemotherapy treatment you will need to visit the hospital twice in every three week cycle.
Outpatient clinic appointment – you will have blood samples taken. We will check how you are feeling and discuss any problems you may have. This is so we can check how the chemotherapy is affecting you. If your blood results are satisfactory, your chemotherapy will be prescribed. This appointment is usually a few days before your chemotherapy appointment.
Chemotherapy appointment – you will spend approximately seven hours on one of the day case treatment areas. Please allow up to an hour longer for your first visit. We will give you anti-sickness medication, fluids and your cisplatin chemotherapy in a drip. We will give you a supply of capecitabine tablets to take home.
You are welcome to bring someone to stay with you during your treatment. Space is limited so there is not usually room for more than one person. Treatment areas are not suitable for young children.
Capecitabine tablets should be taken twice a day (9-12 hours apart), You should take the tablets within 30 minutes of finishing your meal. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. They must not be chewed or crushed
It is important that you wash your hands thoroughly after taking your tablets.
This will vary for each person. There are 2 different strength tablets which are different sizes. The bigger tablets are 500mg and the smaller tablets are150mg. You will probably have to take a combination of big and small tablets. The amount you need to take will be clearly marked on the boxes. Remember to check each box to see how many tablets you need to take.
Do not take the extra tablets when your treatment should have finished. It is important that even if you have missed any doses you should finish the treatment at the planned time.
Please contact Velindre Cancer Centre immediately for advice. The telephone number is at the end of the leaflet.
You should store your tablets in their original packaging in a safe place away from children. They should be kept in a cool dry place. Any unused tablets should be returned to the hospital Pharmacy or your local chemist for safe disposal.
There are a number of possible side effects which can occur with this treatment. The doctor, nurses and pharmacy team can give you advice or answer any questions you may have.
Most people do not lose their hair with this treatment. However, some people experience some hair thinning.
Nausea and vomiting are uncommon these days as we will give you anti-sickness medicines which are usually extremely effective. If you are sick more than once in 24 hours despite taking regular anti-sickness medicine, stop taking your capecitabine tablets and contact Velindre Cancer Centre for advice.
You are at an increased risk of picking up infections because your white blood cells which help fight infections can be reduced by this treatment.
If you develop an infection whilst your white blood cells are low, you are at risk of sepsis, this can be life threatening.
Contact Velindre Cancer Centre immediately if you develop any signs of infection, for example flu like symptoms or a temperature above 37.5°centigrade or if your temperature is below 35.5°. The telephone number is at the end of the leaflet.
You may have diarrhoea. If this occurs it is important that you drink plenty of fluids. We will give you medication to take if you get diarrhoea.
You should stop taking your capecitabine tablets and contact Velindre Cancer Centre immediately if:
You should also contact us if you have any problems with diarrhoea or an increase in bowel movements which lasts for more than 3 days.
You may feel more tired than usual. It is important to listen to your body and rest if you need to, but to carry out your normal activities if you feel able. Some people find it beneficial to take gentle exercise as well as taking rest.
Your mouth may become sore or you may notice small ulcers. Please follow the advice on caring for your mouth in the general chemotherapy leaflet. Your doctor may prescribe mouthwashes or medication to prevent or clear any infection.
If your mouth becomes very painful, or you are finding it difficult to eat and drink, you should stop taking your capecitabine tablets and contact Velindre Cancer Centre for advice. The telephone number is on page 8.
You may experience mild pain, redness and swelling of your hands or feet. If this occurs we recommend using a non perfumed cream or lotion regularly. Please contact Velindre Cancer Centre if your hands or feet become painful.
Some patients will develop dry skin or a rash. Usually this can be easily treated with some non perfumed cream or lotion. Very rarely this rash can be severe. If you have a rash with blisters or is painful you should stop taking your capecitabine tablets and telephone Velindre Cancer Centre immediately for advice. The telephone number is at the end of the leaflet.
Very rarely some people having capecitabine chemotherapy experience heart problems. If you have a heart condition or you take any heart medication, please tell your doctor before you start chemotherapy. If you do have any chest pain you should stop taking your capecitabine tablets and seek urgent medical attention. Do not start taking your capecitabine again until you have spoken to the team at Velindre.
Cisplatin chemotherapy can affect the way your kidneys work. The blood test which you have before your chemotherapy will check how well your kidneys are working at the start of treatment. We will also monitor you carefully by taking regular blood tests throughout your treatment.
We always give cisplatin with plenty of fluids in the drip to reduce the effect on your kidneys. It is also important that you drink plenty of fluids for at least two days after each treatment. We suggest a cup or glass of fluid every hour during the day and evening.
A diagnosis of cancer can increase your risk of developing a blood clot (thrombosis), and having cancer treatment may increase this risk further. It is important to tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling in your leg, or breathlessness and chest pain.
Blood clots can be very serious. However, most clots can usually be successfully treated with drugs to thin the blood. Your doctor or nurse can give you more information.
Cisplatin may damage the nerves of your hands and feet. You may experience some numbness or changes in sensation such as tingling or pins and needles. Although this is very rare it is important that you tell your doctor if this happens so that we can modify your treatment before this side effect becomes permanent.
Cisplatin may also damage the nerves responsible for hearing, although this is rare. If this occurs you may experience some loss of hearing which may be permanent.
Women sometimes find that chemotherapy treatment affects their periods. They could become heavier, lighter or even stop altogether.
It is important you do not become pregnant or father a child whilst having chemotherapy treatment as chemotherapy could damage the unborn baby.
This chemotherapy can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. It is best to avoid strong sunlight and wear a hat and use a sun block when in the sun.
Please tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you take other medicines. There are a small number of medicines that you may have to avoid. Please tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you take warfarin tablets.
Sometimes cancer drugs can have very serious side effects which rarely can be life threatening. It is important to inform Velindre cancer centre if you are concerned about any side-effects.
Velindre leaflets provide information about very common and commonly reported side-effects (we are unable to list all of the common side effects), for more information regarding these and the less common side-effects please refer to the manufacturers patient information leaflets, obtained from Velindre pharmacy and/or on the internet at www.medicines.org.uk. Sometimes patients may find these leaflets difficult to read however. Please ask if you would like a copy from your doctor or from Velindre pharmacy
Velindre Cancer Centre 029 2061 5888
Ask for the treatment helpline if you are unwell at home and need immediate advice at any time of the day or night. For example you should phone if you:
Pharmacy department 029 2061 5888 ext 6223
Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm for queries about your medicines
Macmillan freephone Helpline 0808 808 0000
Tenovus freephone 0808 808 1010
cancer helpline
This information is also available in Welsh
This leaflet was written by health professionals. The information contained in this leaflet is evidence based.
It has been approved by doctors, nurses and patients. It is reviewed and updated every 2 years.
Reviewed November 2015