Experiences of capecitabine (only) chemotherapy?

Hi. I have been on Capecitabine only for the past six months eight cycles exactly like your husband my adjuvant treatment finishes in 3 days time. I have tolerated it well and continued at maximum dose. My journey with it has been a lot better than I expected. No nausea or diarrhoea which were my greatest worry. I do get very warm hands and feet which do settle down in the second week. I moisturise my hand and feet a couple of times a day and I’ve had no peeling or blisters. I am sure I have no finger prints  and my hands are extremely sensitive to hot and cold. My biggest issue which does appear to affect everybody is fatigue. Sheer physical exhaustion is the most debilitating for me but as the time has gone on I have learnt to manage this and not to fight it. I do have Nuerotherpy in my legs and feet but it is managable. Brain fog is real and I have laughed out loud at some of the things I have done or forgot because of it. The side effect that surprised me the most was a change of taste. I never ate sweet foods but now I love ice cream and fruit. My mouth does get warm so cold sweet food is glorious. I make sure I eat a proper meal before taking the tablets and I believe this has helped me a great deal to stave off sickness. Hope this has helped every bodies journey is different. The effects are cumulative my side effects have not really changed throughout the cycles and I have accepted them and managed them. I am 63 years old and not the physically fittest person in the world but mentally I am very resilient with a positive outlook and this has helped. I wish both your husband and you on this journey. 

Hi, yes I’ve had it.  I have the dpd deficiency and despite that I also tolerated it fairly well allowing full dose for 3 months and a smaller dose for another two.  I had to stop one cycle short. The main side effect for me was fatigue.  I’ve since learnt that exercise helps to offset most side effects.  

best wishes

cerysm

Thank you, really appreciate it. Im glad you are nearly finished 

Thank you! The oncologist has said exercise will help with the fatigue so fingers crossed we can manage that one.

Hi, my friend is about to start the same - what mg dose of capecitabine are you and your loved ones on? 

Hello, I have completed 8 cycles (2 on, 1 week off) of capecitabine tablets. In June 2025. After large bowel cancer surgery. I found no real issues with the side effects. Nothing really happens for the first two cycles; nothing of note anyway. After the third cycle, the palms of my hands started to turn red! No irritation, just the colour change. Also, the soles of my feet were tender, so I just wore trainers when out and about. Oddly, I went off certain types of food, which has remained for almost a year. I would recommend trying to maintain a little exercise, as fatigue can be an issue- not massively, but I just took my time.

All in all, nothing to worry about. I continued with my normal activities ( albeit slower), including gardening, etc. No effect on appetite; I still liked my food! It's a long slog, but you eventually get there - keep your mind busy. 

I had Capecitabine Tabs, back in 2020. The cycle should have been for 6 months, but was stopped after 5 months, when my hand palms & fingers became too painful, losing skin, & unable to clench my fists; & then soles of my feet experienced same, & felt burning. My Oncologist then stopped the treatment. These symptoms cleared up immediately after stopping.

However - till then, I had no other side effects, & tolerated them well. 

These Tabs. are related to height & weight initially & can be lowered/ highered dependent on side effects.

I started at 1450mg per day, which was raised to 1800mg.(because of my non side effects.)

Best to keep a daily diary of any side effects, & report to Oncologist/ Colorectal team.

Should add that my dosage was 1800mg daily!

Dosage depends on weight & height to being with; but can be changed, depending on individual tolerance. I was 7 stone when my treatment began.

He's on 2800mg, 7 tablets, twice daily