Grace Capecitabine

For the use only of a registered medical practitioner or a hospital or a laboratory Rx

 

GRACE CAPECITABINE

Capecitabine Tablets 500 mg

 

COMPOSITION

Each film coated tablet contains

Capecitabine USP 500 mg

Excipients q.s.

 

PHARMACEUTICALFORM

Film coated Tablets.

 

THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS

Capecitabine is indicated:

– for the adjuvant treatment of patients following surgery of stage III (Dukes’ stage C) colon cancer.

– for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

– for first-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer in combination with a platinum based regimen.

– in combination with docetaxel for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Previous therapy should have included an anthracycline.

– as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of taxanes and an anthracycline containing chemotherapy regimen or for whom further anthracycline therapy is not indicated.

 

POSOLOGYAND METHOD OFADMINISTRATION

     Capecitabine should only be prescribed by a qualified physician experienced in the utilisation of anti-neoplastic medicinal products. Careful monitoring during the first cycle of treatment is recommended for all patients.

     Treatment should be discontinued if progressive disease or intolerable toxicity is observed. Standard and reduced dose calculations according to body surface area for starting doses of Capecitabine of 1,250 mg/m2 and 1,000 mg/m2 are provided in tables 1 and 2, respectively.

 

Posology

Recommended posology

Monotherapy

Colon, colorectal and breast cancer

Given as monotherapy, the recommended starting dose for capecitabine in the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer, in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer or of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer is 1,250 mg/m2 administered twice daily (morning and evening; equivalent to 2,500 mg/m2 total daily dose) for 14 days followed by a 7-day rest period. Adjuvant treatment in patients with stage III colon cancer is recommended for a total of 6 months.

 

Combination therapy

Colon, colorectal and gastric cancer

In combination treatment, the recommended starting dose of capecitabine should be reduced to 800-1,000 mg/m2 when administered twice daily for 14 days followed by a 7-day rest period, or to 625 mg/m2 twice daily when administered continuously. For combination with irinotecan, the recommended starting dose is 800 mg/m2 when administered twice daily for 14 days followed by a 7-day rest period combined with irinotecan 200 mg/m2 on day 1. The inclusion of bevacizumab in a combination regimen has no effect on the starting dose of capecitabine. Premedication to maintain adequate hydration and anti-emesis according to the cisplatin summary of product characteristics should be started prior to cisplatin administration for patients receiving the capecitabine plus cisplatin combination. Premedication with antiemetics according to the oxaliplatin summary of product characteristics is recommended for patients receiving the capecitabine plus oxaliplatin combination. Adjuvant treatment in patients with stage III colon cancer is recommended for a duration of 6 months.

 

Breast cancer

In combination with docetaxel, the recommended starting dose of capecitabine in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer is 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days followed by a 7-day rest period, combined with docetaxel at 75 mg/m2 as a 1- hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks. Pre-medication with an oral corticosteroid such as dexamethasone according to the docetaxel summary of product characteristics should be started prior to docetaxel administration for patients receiving the capecitabine plus docetaxel combination.

 

 

Posology adjustments during treatment

General

Toxicity due to capecitabine administration may be managed by symptomatic treatment and/or modification of the dose (treatment interruption or dose reduction). Once the dose has been reduced, it should not be increased at a later time. For those toxicities considered by the treating physician to be unlikely to become serious or life-threatening, e.g. alopecia, altered taste, nail changes, treatment can be continued at the same dose without reduction or interruption. Patients taking capecitabine should be informed of the need to interrupt treatment immediately if moderate or severe toxicity occurs. Doses of capecitabine omitted for toxicity are not replaced. The following are the recommended dose modifications for toxicity:

 

According to the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trial Group (NCIC CTG) Common Toxicity Criteria (version 1) or the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) of the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, US National Cancer Institute, version 4.0. For hand-foot syndrome (HFS) and hyperbilirubinaemia,

 

Haematology

Patients with baseline neutrophil counts of < 1.5 x 109/L and/or thrombocyte counts of < 100 x 109/L should not be treated with capecitabine. If unscheduled laboratory assessments during a treatment cycle show that the neutrophil count drops below 1.0 x 109/L or that the platelet count drops below 75 x 109/L treatment with capecitabine should be interrupted.

 

Dose modifications for toxicity when capecitabine is used as a 3-weekly cycle in combination with other medicinal products

 

Dose modifications for toxicity when capecitabine is used as a 3-weekly cycle in combination with other medicinal products should be made according to table 3 above for capecitabine and according to the appropriate summary of product characteristics for the other medicinal product(s).

 

At the beginning of a treatment cycle, if a treatment delay is indicated for either capecitabine or the other medicinal product(s), then administration of all therapy should be delayed until the requirements for restarting all medicinal products are met.

 

During a treatment cycle for those toxicities considered by the treating physician not to be related to capecitabine, capecitabine should be continued and the dose of the other medicinal product should be adjusted according to the appropriate Prescribing Information.

 

If the other medicinal product(s) have to be discontinued permanently, capecitabine treatment can be resumed when the requirements for restarting capecitabine are met.

 

This advice is applicable to all indications and to all special populations.

 

Dose modifications for toxicity when capecitabine is used continuously in combination with other medicinal products

 

Dose modifications for toxicity when capecitabine is used continuously in combination with other medicinal products should be made according to table 3 above for capecitabine and according to the appropriate summary of product characteristics for the other medicinal product(s).

 

Posology adjustments for special populations

Hepatic impairment

Insufficient safety and efficacy data are available in patients with hepatic impairment to provide a dose adjustment recommendation. No information is available on hepatic impairment due to cirrhosis or hepatitis.

 

Renal impairment

Capecitabine is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min [Cockcroft and Gault] at baseline). The incidence of grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions in patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 – 50 ml/min at baseline) is increased compared to the overall population. In patients with moderate renal impairment at baseline, a dose reduction to 75 % for a starting dose of 1,250 mg/m2 is recommended. In patients with moderate renal impairment at baseline, no dose reduction is required for a starting dose of 1,000 mg/m2. In patients with mild renal impairment (creatinine clearance 51 – 80 ml/min at baseline) no adjustment of the starting dose is recommended. Careful monitoring and prompt treatment interruption is recommended if the patient develops a grade 2, 3 or 4 adverse event during treatment and subsequent dose adjustment as outlined in table 3 above. If the calculated creatinine clearance decreases during treatment to a value below 30 ml/min, Capecitabine should be discontinued. These dose adjustment recommendations for renal impairment apply both to monotherapy and combination use.

 

Elderly

During capecitabine monotherapy, no adjustment of the starting dose is needed. However, grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse reactions were more frequent in patients ≥ 60 years of age compared to younger patients.

 

When capecitabine was used in combination with other medicinal products, elderly patients (≥ 65 years) experienced more grade 3 and grade 4 adverse drug reactions (ADRs), including those leading to discontinuation, compared to younger patients. Careful monitoring of patients ≥ 60 years of age is advisable.

 

– In combination with docetaxel: an increased incidence of grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse reactions and treatment- related serious adverse reactions were observed in patients 60 years of age or more. For patients 60 years of age or more, a starting dose reduction of capecitabine to 75 % (950 mg/m2 twice daily) is recommended. If no toxicity is observed in patients ≥ 60 years of age treated with a reduced capecitabine starting dose in combination with docetaxel, the dose of capecitabine may be cautiously escalated to 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily.

 

Paediatric population

There is no relevant use of Capecitabine in the paediatric population in the indications colon, colorectal, gastric and breast cancer.

 

Method of administration

Capecitabine tablets should be swallowed with water within 30 minutes after a meal.

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS

History of severe and unexpected reactions to fluoropyrimidine therapy,

– Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients or fluorouracil, In patients with known complete absence of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity.

–  During pregnancy and lactation,

– In patients with severe leukopenia, neutropenia, or thrombocytopenia,

– In patients with severe hepatic impairment,

– In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min),

– Treatment with sorivudine or its chemically related analogues, such as brivudine.

– If contraindications exist to any of the medicinal products in the combination regimen, that medicinal product should not be used.

 

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Dose limiting toxicities

Dose limiting toxicities include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, stomatitis and hand-foot syndrome (HFS, hand-foot skin reaction, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia). Most adverse reactions are reversible and do not require permanent discontinuation of therapy, although doses may need to be withheld or reduced.

 

Diarrhoea

Patients with severe diarrhoea should be carefully monitored and given fluid and electrolyte replacement if they become dehydrated. Standard antidiarrhoeal treatments (e.g. loperamide) may be used. NCIC CTC grade 2 diarrhoea is defined as an increase of 4 to 6 stools/day or nocturnal stools, grade 3 diarrhoea as an increase of 7 to 9 stools/day or incontinence and malabsorption. Grade 4 diarrhoea is an increase of ≥ 10 stools/day or grossly bloody diarrhoea or the need for parenteral support. Dose reduction should be applied as necessary.

 

Dehydration

Dehydration should be prevented or corrected at the onset. Patients with anorexia, asthenia, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea may rapidly become dehydrated. Dehydration may cause acute renal failure, especially in patients with pre-existing compromised renal function or when capecitabine is given concomitantly with known nephrotoxic medicinal products. Acute renal failure secondary to dehydration might be potentially fatal. If grade 2 (or higher) dehydration occurs, capecitabine treatment should be immediately interrupted and the dehydration corrected. Treatment should not be restarted until the patient is rehydrated and any precipitating causes have been corrected or controlled. Dose modifications applied should be applied for the precipitating adverse event as necessary.

 

Hand–foot syndrome

     HFS also known as hand-foot skin reaction or palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia or chemotherapy induced acral erythema. Grade 1 HFS is defined as numbness, dysesthesia/paresthesia, tingling, painless swelling or erythema of the hands and/or feet and/or discomfort which does not disrupt the patient’s normal activities.

     Grade 2 HFS is painful erythema and swelling of the hands and/or feet and/or discomfort affecting the patient’s activities of daily living.

     Grade 3 HFS is moist desquamation, ulceration, blistering and severe pain of the hands and/or feet and/or severe discomfort that causes the patient to be unable to work or perform activities of daily living. Persistent or severe HFS (Grade 2 and above) can eventually lead to loss of fingerprints which could impact patient identification. If grade 2 or 3 HFS occurs, administration of capecitabine should be interrupted until the event resolves or decreases in intensity to grade 1. Following grade 3 HFS, subsequent doses of capecitabine should be decreased. When capecitabine and cisplatin are used in combination, the use of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is not advised for symptomatic or secondary prophylactic treatment of HFS, because of published reports that it may decrease the efficacy of cisplatin. There is some evidence that dexpanthenol is effective for HFS prophylaxis in patients treated with capecitabine.

 

Cardiotoxicity

Cardiotoxicity has been associated with fluoropyrimidine therapy, including myocardial infarction, angina, dysrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, sudden death and electrocardiographic changes (including very rare cases of QT prolongation). These adverse reactions may be more common in patients with a prior history of coronary artery disease. Cardiac arrhythmias (including ventricular fibrillation, torsade de pointes, and bradycardia), angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure and cardiomyopathy have been reported in patients receiving capecitabine. Caution must be exercised in patients with history of significant cardiac disease, arrhythmias and angina pectoris.

 

Hypo- or hypercalcaemia

Hypo- or hypercalcaemia has been reported during capecitabine treatment. Caution must be exercised in patients with pre-existing hypo- or hypercalcaemia.

 

Central or peripheral nervous system disease

Caution must be exercised in patients with central or peripheral nervous system disease, e.g. brain metastasis or neuropathy.

 

Diabetes mellitus or electrolyte disturbances

Caution must be exercised in patients with diabetes mellitus or electrolyte disturbances, as these may be aggravated during capecitabine treatment.

 

Coumarin-derivative anticoagulation

In an interaction study with single-dose warfarin administration, there was a significant increase in the mean AUC (+57%) of S-warfarin. These results suggest an interaction, probably due to an inhibition of the cytochrome P450 2C9 isoenzyme system by capecitabine. Patients receiving concomitant capecitabine and oral coumarin-derivative anticoagulant therapy should have their anticoagulant response (International Normalised Ratio [INR] or prothrombin time) monitored closely and the anticoagulant dose adjusted accordingly.

 

Hepatic impairment

In the absence of safety and efficacy data in patients with hepatic impairment, capecitabine use should be carefully monitored in patients with mild to moderate liver dysfunction, regardless of the presence or absence of liver metastasis. Administration of capecitabine should be interrupted if treatment-related elevations in bilirubin of > 3.0 x ULN or treatment-related elevations in hepatic aminotransferases (ALT, AST) of > 2.5 x ULN occur. Treatment with capecitabine monotherapy may be resumed when bilirubin decreases to ≤ 3.0 x ULN or hepatic aminotransferases decrease to ≤ 2.5 x ULN.

 

Renal impairment

The incidence of grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions in patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 – 50 ml/min) is increased compared to the overall population.

 

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency

     Rarely, unexpected, severe toxicity (e.g. stomatitis, diarrhoea, mucosal inflammation, neutropenia and neurotoxicity) associated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been attributed to a deficiency of DPD activity.

     Patients with low or absent DPD activity, an enzyme involved in fluorouracil degradation, are at increased risk for severe, life-threatening, or fatal adverse reactions caused by fluorouracil. Although DPD deficiency cannot be precisely defined, it is known that patients with certain homozygous or certain compound heterozygous mutations in the DPYD gene locus, which can cause complete or near complete absence of DPD enzymatic activity (as determined from laboratory assays), have the highest risk of life-threatening or fatal toxicity and should not be treated with Capecitabine. No dose has been proven safe for patients with complete absence of DPD activity.

     For patients with partial DPD deficiency (such as those with heterozygous mutations in the DPYD gene) and where the benefits of capecitabine are considered to outweigh the risks (taking into account the suitability of an alternative non- fluoropyrimidine chemotherapeutic regimen), these patients must be treated with extreme caution and frequent monitoring with dose adjustment according to toxicity. There is insufficient data to recommend a specific dose in patients with partial DPD activity as measured by specific test.

     In patients with unrecognised DPD deficiency treated with capecitabine, life-threatening toxicities manifesting as acute overdose may occur. In the event of grade 2-4 acute toxicity, treatment must be discontinued immediately. Permanent discontinuation should be considered based on clinical assessment of the onset, duration and severity of the observed toxicities.

 

Ophthalmologic complications

Patients should be carefully monitored for ophthalmological complications such as keratitis and corneal disorders, especially if they have a prior history of eye disorders. Treatment of eye disorders should be initiated as clinically appropriate.

 

Severe skin reactions

Capecitabine can induce severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Capecitabine should be permanently discontinued in patients who experience a severe skin reaction during treatment.

 

Excipients

As this medicinal product contains anhydrous lactose as an excipient, patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase defjciency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

 

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

Interaction with other medicinal products

Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates

Other than warfarin, no formal interaction studies between capecitabine and other CYP2C9 substrates have been conducted. Care should be exercised when capecitabine is co-administered with 2C9 substrates (e.g. phenytoin).

 

Coumarin-derivative anticoagulants

     Altered coagulation parameters and/or bleeding have been reported in patients taking capecitabine concomitantly with coumarin-derivative anticoagulants such as warfarin and phenprocoumon. These reactions occurred within several days and up to several months after initiating capecitabine therapy and, in a few cases, within one month after stopping capecitabine.

     In a clinical pharmacokinetic interaction study, after a single 20 mg dose of warfarin, capecitabine treatment increased the AUC of S-warfarin by 57 % with a 91 % increase in INR value. Since metabolism of R-warfarin was not affected, these results indicate that capecitabine down-regulates isozyme 2C9, but has no effect on isozymes 1A2 and 3A4. Patients taking coumarin-derivative anticoagulants concomitantly with capecitabine should be monitored regularly for alterations in their coagulation parameters (PT or INR) and the anticoagulant dose adjusted accordingly.

 

Phenytoin

Increased phenytoin plasma concentrations resulting in symptoms of phenytoin intoxication in single cases have been reported during concomitant use of capecitabine with phenytoin. Patients taking phenytoin concomitantly with capecitabine should be regularly monitored for increased phenytoin plasma concentrations.

 

Folinic acid/folic acid

A combination study with capecitabine and folinic acid indicated that folinic acid has no major effect on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine and its metabolites. However, folinic acid has an effect on the pharmacodynamics of capecitabine and its toxicity may be enhanced by folinic acid: the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of capecitabine alone using the intermittent regimen is 3,000 mg/m2 per day whereas it is only 2,000 mg/m2 per day when capecitabine was combined with folinic acid (30 mg orally bid). The enhanced toxicity may be relevant when switching from 5-FU/LV to a capecitabine regimen. This may also be relevant with folic acid supplementation for folate deficiency due to the similarity between folinic acid and folic acid.

 

Sorivudine and analogues

     A clinically significant interaction between sorivudine and 5-FU, resulting from the inhibition of DPD by sorivudine, has been described.

     This interaction, which leads to increased fluoropyrimidine toxicity, is potentially fatal. Therefore, capecitabine must not be administered concomitantly with sorivudine or its chemically related analogues, such as brivudine. There must be at least a 4-week waiting period between end of treatment with sorivudine or its chemically related analogues such as brivudine and start of capecitabine therapy.

 

Antacid

The effect of an aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide-containing antacid on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine was investigated. There was a small increase in plasma concentrations of capecitabine and one metabolite 5′- deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (5′-DFCR); there was no effect on the 3 major metabolites: 5′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5′-DFUR), 5-FU and α-fluoro-β-alanine (FBAL).

 

Allopurinol

Interactions with allopurinol have been observed for 5-FU; with possible decreased efficacy of 5-FU. Concomitant use of allopurinol with capecitabine should be avoided.

 

Interferon alpha

The MTD of capecitabine was 2,000 mg/m2 per day when combined with interferon alpha- 2a (3 MIU/m2 per day) compared to 3,000 mg/m2 per day when capecitabine was used alone.

 

Radiotherapy

The MTD of capecitabine alone using the intermittent regimen is 3,000 mg/m2 per day, whereas, when combined with radiotherapy for rectal cancer, the MTD of capecitabine is 2,000 mg/m2 per day using either a continuous schedule or given daily Monday through Friday during a 6-week course of radiotherapy.

 

Oxaliplatin

No clinically significant differences in exposure to capecitabine or its metabolites, free platinum or total platinum occurred when capecitabine was administered in combination with oxaliplatin or in combination with oxaliplatin and bevacizumab.

 

Bevacizumab

There was no clinically significant effect of bevacizumab on the pharmacokinetic parameters of capecitabine or its metabolites in the presence of oxaliplatin.

 

Food interaction

In all clinical trials, patients were instructed to administer capecitabine within 30 minutes after a meal. Since current safety and efficacy data are based upon administration with food, it is recommended that capecitabine be administered with food. Administration with food decreases the rate of capecitabine absorption.

 

Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Women of childbearing potential/Contraception in males and females

Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving treatment with capecitabine. If the patient becomes pregnant while receiving capecitabine, the potential hazard to the foetus must be explained. An effective method of contraception should be used during treatment.

 

Pregnancy

There are no studies in pregnant women using capecitabine; however, it should be assumed that capecitabine may cause foetal harm if administered to pregnant women. In reproductive toxicity studies in animals, capecitabine administration caused embryolethality and teratogenicity. These findings are expected effects of fluoropyrimidine derivatives. Capecitabine is contraindicated during pregnancy.

 

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether capecitabine is excreted in human breast milk. In lactating mice, considerable amounts of capecitabine and its metabolites were found in milk. Breast-feeding should be discontinued while receiving treatment with capecitabine.

 

Fertility

There is no data on capecitabine and impact on fertility. The capecitabine pivotal studies included females of childbearing potential and males only if they agreed to use an acceptable method of birth control to avoid pregnancy for the duration of the study and for a reasonable period thereafter.

In animal studies effects on fertility were observed.

 

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Capecitabine has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Capecitabine may cause dizziness, fatigue and nausea.

 

Side Effects:

The very common side effects which may affect more than 1 in 10 people are

– abdominal pain

– rash, dry or itchy skin

– tiredness

– loss of appetite (anorexia)

 

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

– decreases in the number of white blood cells or red blood cells

– dehydration, weight loss

– sleeplessness (insomnia), depression

– headache, sleepiness, dizziness, abnormal sensation in the skin (numbness or tingling sensation), taste changes

– eye irritation, increased tears, eye redness (conjunctivitis)

– inflammation of the veins (thrombophlebitis)

– shortness of breath, nose bleeds, cough, runny nose

– cold sores or other herpes infections

– infections of the lungs or respiratory tract system (e.g. pneumonia or bronchitis)

– bleeding from the gut, constipation, pain in upper abdomen, indigestion, excess wind, dry mouth

– skin rash, hair loss (alopecia), skin reddening, dry skin, itching (pruritus), skin discolouration, skin loss, skin inflammation, nail disorder

– pain in the joints or in the limbs (extremities), chest or back

– fever, swelling in the limbs, feeling ill

– problems with liver function (seen in blood tests) and increased blood bilirubin (excreted by the liver).

– Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

– blood infection, urinary tract infection, infection of the skin, infections in the nose and throat, fungal infections (including those of the mouth), influenza, gastroenteritis, tooth abscess,

– lumps under the skin (lipoma)

– decreases in blood cells including platelets, thinning of blood (seen in tests)

– allergy

– diabetes, decrease in blood potassium, malnutrition, increased blood triglycerides

– confusional state, panic attacks, depressed mood, decreased libido

– difficulty speaking, impaired memory, loss of movement coordination, balance disorder, fainting, nerve damage (neuropathy) and problems with sensation

– blurred or double vision

– vertigo, ear pain

– irregular heartbeat and palpitations (arrhythmias), chest pain and heart attack (infarction) blood clots in the deep veins, high or low blood pressure, hot flushes, cold limbs (extremities), purple spots on the skin

– blood clots in the veins in the lung (pulmonary embolism), collapsed lung, coughing up blood, asthma, shortness of breath on exertion

– bowel obstruction, collection of fluid in the abdomen, inflammation of the small or large intestine, the stomach or the oesophagus, pain in the lower abdomen, abdominal discomfort, heartburn (reflux of food from the stomach), blood in the stool

– jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)

– skin ulcer and blister, reaction of the skin with sunlight, reddening of palms, swelling or pain of the face joint swelling or stiffness, bone pain, muscle weakness or stiffness

– fluid collection in the kidneys, increased frequency of urination during the night, incontinence, blood in the urine, increase in blood creatinine (sign of kidney dysfunction)

– unusual bleeding from the vagina swelling (oedema), chills and rigors Some of these side effects are more common when capecitabine is used with other medicines for the treatment of cancer.

 

Other side-effects seen in this setting are the following:

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

– decrease in blood sodium, magnesium or calcium, increase in blood sugar

– nerve pain

– ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), loss of hearing

– vein inflammation

– hiccups, change in voice

– pain or altered/abnormal sensation in the mouth, pain in the jaw

– sweating, night sweats

– muscle spasm

– difficulty in urination, blood or protein in the urine

– bruising or reaction at the injection site (caused by medicines given by injection at the same time) Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) include:

– narrowing or blockage of tear duct (lacrimal duct stenosis)

– liver failure

– inflammation leading to dysfunction or obstruction in bile secretion (cholestatic hepatitis) specific changes in the electrocardiogram (QT prolongation)

– certain types of arrhythmias (including ventricular fibrillation, torsade de pointes, and bradycardia) eye inflammation causing eye pain and possibly eyesight problems

– inflammation of the skin causing red scaly patches due to an immune system illness

 

Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people) include:

– severe skin reaction such as skin rash, ulceration and blistering which may involve ulcers of the mouth, nose, genitalia, hands, feet and eyes (red and swollen eyes).

 

OVERDOSAGE

The manifestations of acute overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, mucositis, gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding, and bone marrow depression. Medical management of overdose should include customary therapeutic and supportive medical interventions aimed at correcting the presenting clinical manifestations and preventing their possible complications.

 

PHARMACOLOGICALPROPERTIES

Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: cytostatic (antimetabolite), ATC code: L01BC06

     Capecitabine is a non-cytotoxic fluoropyrimidine carbamate, which functions as an orally administered precursor of the cytotoxic moiety 5-uorouracil (5-FU). Capecitabine is activated via several enzymatic steps. The enzyme involved in the final conversion to 5-FU, thymidine phosphorylase (ThyPase), is found in tumour tissues, but also in normal tissues, albeit usually at lower levels. In human cancer xenograft models capecitabine demonstrated a synergistic effect in combination with docetaxel, which may be related to the upregulation of thymidine phosphorylase by docetaxel.

     There is evidence that the metabolism of 5-FU in the anabolic pathway blocks the methylation reaction of deoxyuridylic acid to thymidylic acid, thereby interfering with the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The incorporation of 5- FU also leads to inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis. Since DNA and RNA are essential for cell division and growth, the effect of 5-FU may be to create a thymidine deficiency that provokes unbalanced growth and death of a cell. The effects of DNA and RNA deprivation are most marked on those cells which proliferate more rapidly and which metabolise 5-FU at a more rapid rate.

 

Colon and colorectal cancer:

Monotherapy with capecitabine in adjuvant colon cancer

Data from one multicentre, randomised, controlled phase III clinical trial in patients with stage III (Dukes’ C) colon cancer supports the use of capecitabine for the adjuvant treatment of patients with colon cancer (XACT Study; M66001). In this trial, 1987 patients were randomised to treatment with capecitabine (1250 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 1- week rest period and given as 3-week cycles for 24 weeks) or 5-FU and leucovorin (Mayo Clinic regimen: 20 mg/m2 leucovorin IV followed by 425 mg/m2 intravenous bolus 5-FU, on days 1 to 5, every 28 days for 24 weeks). Capecitabine was at least equivalent to IV 5-FU/LV in disease-free survival in per protocol population (hazard ratio 0.92; 95% CI 0.80- 1.06). In the all-randomised population, tests for difference of capecitabine vs 5-FU/LV in disease-free and overall survival showed hazard ratios of 0.88 (95% CI 0.77 – 1.01; p = 0.068) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.74 – 1.01; p = 0.060), respectively. The median follow up at the time of the analysis was 6.9 years. In a preplanned multivariate Cox analysis, superiority of capecitabine compared with bolus 5-FU/LV was demonstrated. The following factors were pre-specified in the statistical analysis plan for inclusion in the model: age, time from surgery to randomization, gender, CEA levels at baseline, lymph nodes at baseline, and country. In the all-randomised population, capecitabine was shown to be superior to 5FU/LV for disease-free survival (hazard ratio 0.849; 95% CI 0.739 – 0.976; p = 0.0212), as well as for overall survival (hazard ratio 0.828; 95% CI 0.705 – 0.971; p = 0.0203).

 

Combination therapy in adjuvant colon cancer
Data from one multicentre, randomised, controlled phase 3 clinical trial in patients with stage III (Dukes’ C) colon cancer supports the use of capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin (XELOX) for the adjuvant treatment of patients with colon cancer (NO16968 study). In this trial, 944 patients were randomised to 3-week cycles for 24 weeks with capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period) in combination with oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2 intravenous infusion over 2-hours on day 1 every 3 weeks); 942 patients were randomised to bolus 5-FU and leucovorin. In the primary analysis for DFS in the ITT population, XELOX was shown to be significantly superior to 5-FU/LV (HR=0.80, 95% CI=[0.69; 0.93]; p=0.0045). The 3 year DFS rate was 71% for XELOX versus 67% for 5-FU/LV. The analysis for the secondary endpoint of RFS supports these results with a HR of 0.78 (95% CI=[0.67; 0.92]; p=0.0024) for XELOX vs. 5-FU/LV. XELOX showed a trend towards superior OS with a HR of 0.87 (95% CI=[0.72; 1.05]; p=0.1486) which translates into a 13% reduction in risk of death. The 5 year OS rate was 78% for XELOX versus 74% for 5-FU/LV. The efficacy data is based on a median observation time of 59 months for OS and 57 months for DFS. The rate of withdrawal due to adverse events was higher in the XELOX combination therapy arm (21%) as compared with that of the 5-FU/LV monotherapy arm (9%) in the ITT population.

 

Monotherapy with capecitabine in metastatic colorectal cancer
Data from two identically-designed, multicentre, randomised, controlled phase III clinical trials (SO14695; SO14796) support the use of capecitabine for first line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. In these trials, 603 patients were randomised to treatment with capecitabine (1250 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period and given as 3-week cycles). 604 patients were randomised to treatment with 5-FU and leucovorin (Mayo regimen: 20 mg/m2 leucovorin intravenous followed by 425 mg/m2 intravenous bolus 5-FU, on days 1 to 5, every 28 days). The overall objective response rates in the all-randomised population (investigator assessment) were 25.7% (capecitabine) vs. 16.7% (Mayo regimen); p <0.0002. The median time to progression was 140 days (capecitabine) vs. 144 days (Mayo regimen).
Median survival was 392 days (capecitabine) vs. 391 days (Mayo regimen). Currently, no comparative data are available on capecitabine monotherapy in colorectal cancer in comparison with
rst line combination regimens.

 

Combination therapy in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer
Data from a multicentre, randomised, controlled phase III clinical study (NO16966) support the use of capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin or in combination with oxaliplatin and bevacizumab for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. The study contained two parts: an initial 2-arm part in which 634 patients were randomised to two different treatment groups, including XELOX or FOLFOX-4, and a subsequent 2×2 factorial part in which 1401 patients were randomised to four different treatment groups, including XELOX plus placebo, FOLFOX-4 plus placebo, XELOX plus bevacizumab, and FOLFOX-4 plus bevacizumab. See table 4 for treatment regimens.

 

Non-inferiority of the XELOX-containing arms compared with the FOLFOX-4-containing arms in the overall comparison was demonstrated in terms of progression-free survival in the eligible patient population and the intent-to- treat population. The results indicate that XELOX is equivalent to FOLFOX-4 in terms of overall survival. A comparison of XELOX plus bevacizumab versus FOLFOX-4 plus bevacizumab was a pre-specified exploratory analysis. In this treatment subgroup comparison, XELOX plus bevacizumab was similar compared to FOLFOX-4 plus bevacizumab in terms of progression-free survival (hazard ratio 1.01; 97.5% CI 0.84 – 1.22). The median follow up at the time of the primary analyses in the intent-to-treat population was 1.5 years; data from analyses following an additional 1 year of follow up are also included in table 5. However, the on-treatment PFS analysis did not confirm the results of the general PFS and OS analysis: the hazard ratio of XELOX versus FOLFOX-4 was 1.24 with 97.5% CI 1.07 – 1.44. Although sensitivity analyses show that differences in regimen schedules and timing of tumor assessments impact the on-treatment PFS analysis, a full explanation for this result has not been found.

 

 

In a randomised, controlled phase III study (CAIRO), the effect of using capecitabine at a starting dose of 1000 mg/m2 for 2 weeks every 3 weeks in combination with irinotecan for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer was studied. 820 Patients were randomised to receive either sequential treatment (n=410) or combination treatment (n=410). Sequential treatment consisted of first-line capecitabine (1250 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days), second- line irinotecan (350 mg/m2 on day 1), and third-line combination of capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days) with oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2 on day 1). Combination treatment consisted of first-line capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days) combined with irinotecan (250 mg /m2 on day 1) (XELIRI) and second-line capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days) plus oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2 on day 1). All treatment cycles were administered at intervals of 3 weeks. In first-line treatment the median progression-free survival in the intent-to-treat population was 5.8 months (95%CI 5.1 – 6.2 months) for capecitabine monotherapy and 7.8 months (95%CI 7.0 – 8.3 months; p=0.0002) for XELIRI. However this was associated with an increased incidence of gastrointestinal toxicity and neutropenia during first-line treatment with XELIRI (26% and 11% for XELIRI and first line capecitabine respectively).

 

The XELIRI has been compared with 5-FU + irinotecan (FOLFIRI) in three randomised studies in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The XELIRI regimens included capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1 to 14 of a three-week cycle combined with irinotecan 250 mg/m2 on day1. In the largest study (BICC-C), patients were randomised to receive either open label FOLFIRI (n=144), bolus 5-FU (mIFL) (n=145) or XELIRI (n=141) and were additionally randomised to receive either double-blind treatment with celecoxib or placebo. Median PFS was 7.6 months for FOLFIRI, 5.9 months for mIFL (p=0.004) for the comparison with FOLFIRI), and 5.8 months for XELIRI (p=0.015). Median OS was 23.1 months for FOLFIRI, 17.6 months for mIFL (p=0.09), and 18.9 months for XELIRI (p=0.27). Patients treated with XELIRI experienced excessive gastrointestinal toxicity compared with FOLFIRI (diarrhoea 48% and 14% for XELIRI and FOLFIRI respectively).

 

In the EORTC study patients were randomised to receive either open label FOLFIRI (n=41) or XELIRI (n=44) with additional randomisation to either double-blind treatment with celecoxib or placebo. Median PFS and overall survival (OS) times were shorter for XELIRI versus FOLFIRI (PFS 5.9 versus 9.6 months and OS 14.8 versus 19.9 months), in addition to which excessive rates of diarrhoea were reported in patients receiving the XELIRI regimen (41% XELIRI, 5.1% FOLFIRI).

 

In the study published by Skof et al, patients were randomised to receive either FOLFIRI or XELIRI . Overall response rate was 49% in the XELIRI and 48% in the FOLFIRI arm (p=0.76). At the end of treatment, 37% of patients in the XELIRI and 26% of patients in the FOLFIRI arm were without evidence of the disease (p=0.56). Toxcity was similar between treatments with the exception of neutropenia reported more commonly in patients treated with FOLFIRI. Montagnani et al used the results from the above three studies to provide an overall analysis of randomised studies comparing FOLFIRI and XELIRI treatment regimens in the treatment of mCRC. A significant reduction in the risk of progression was associated with FOLFIRI (HR, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.62-0.95; P <0.01), a result partly due to poor tolerance to the XELIRI regimens used.

 

Data from a randomised clinical study (Souglakos et al, 2012) comparing FOLFIRI + bevacizumab with XELIRI + bevacizumab showed no significant differences in PFS or OS between treatments. Patients were randomised to receive either FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab (Arm-A, n=167) or XELIRI plus bevacizumab (Arm-B, n-166). For Arm B, the XELIRI regimen used capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily for 14 days + irinotecan 250 mg/m2 on day 1. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.0 and 8.9 months; p=0.64, overall survival 25.7 and 27.5 months; p=0.55 and response rates 45.5 and 39.8%; p=0.32 for FOLFIRI-Bev and XELIRI-Bev, respectively. Patients treated with XELIRI + bevacizumab reported a significantly higher incidence of diarrhoea, febrile neutropenia and hand-foot skin reactions than patients treated with FOLFIRI + bevacizumab with significantly increased treatment delays, dose reductions and treatment discontinuations.

 

Data from a multicentre, randomised, controlled phase II study (AIO KRK 0604) supports the use of capecitabine at a starting dose of 800 mg/m2 for 2 weeks every 3 weeks in combination with irinotecan and bevacizumab for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. 120 Patients were randomised to a modified XELIRI regimen with capecitabine 800 mg/m2 twice daily for two weeks followed by a 7-day rest period), irinotecan (200 mg/m2 as a 30 minute infusion on day 1 every 3 weeks), and bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg as a 30 to 90 minute infusion on day 1 every 3 weeks ; 127 patients were randomised to treatment with capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 twice daily for two weeks followed by a 7-day rest period), oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2 as a 2 hour infusion on day 1 every 3 weeks), and bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg as a 30 to 90 minute infusion on day 1 every 3 weeks). Following a mean duration of follow-up for the study population of 26.2 months, treatment responses were as shown below:

 

 

Combination therapy in second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer
Data from a multicentre, randomised, controlled phase III clinical study (NO16967) support the use of capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin for the second-line treatment of metastastic colorectal cancer. In this trial, 627 patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma who have received prior treatment with irinotecan in combination with a fluoropyrimidine regimen as first line therapy were randomised to treatment with XELOX or FOLFOX-4. For the dosing schedule of XELOX and FOLFOX-4 (without addition of placebo or bevacizumab), refer to table 6. XELOX was demonstrated to be non-inferior to FOLFOX-4 in terms of progression-free survival in the per-protocol population and intent-to-treat population. The results indicate that XELOX is equivalent to FOLFOX-4 in terms of overall survival. The median follow up at the time of the primary analyses in the intent-to-treat population was 2.1 years; data from analyses following an additional 6 months of follow up are also included in table 7.

 

Advanced gastric cancer

Data from a multicentre, randomised, controlled phase III clinical trial in patients with advanced gastric cancer supports the use of capecitabine for the rst-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer (Ml17032). In this trial, 160 patients were randomised to treatment with capecitabine (1,000 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 7-day rest period) and cisplatin (80 mg/m2 as a 2-hour infusion every 3 weeks). A total of 156 patients were randomised to treatment with 5-FU (800 mg/m2 per day, continuous infusion on days 1 to 5 every 3 weeks) and cisplatin (80 mg/m2 as a 2-hour infusion on day 1, every 3 weeks). Capecitabine in combination with cisplatin was non-inferior to 5-FU in combination with cisplatin in terms of PFS in the per protocol analysis (hazard ratio 0.81; 95 % CI 0.63 – 1.04). The median PFS was 5.6 months (capecitabine + cisplatin) versus 5.0 months (5-FU + cisplatin). The hazard ratio for duration of survival (overall survival) was similar to the hazard ratio for PFS (hazard ratio 0.85; 95 % CI 0.64 – 1.13). The median duration of survival was 10.5 months (capecitabine + cisplatin) versus 9.3 months (5-FU + cisplatin).

 

Data from a randomised multicentre, phase III study comparing capecitabine to 5-FU and oxaliplatin to cisplatin in patients with advanced gastric cancer supports the use of capecitabine for the first-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer (REAL-2). In this trial, 1,002 patients were randomised in a 2×2 factorial design to one of the following 4 arms:

 

– ECF: epirubicin (50 mg/ m2 as a bolus on day 1 every 3 weeks), cisplatin (60 mg/m2 as a two hour infusion on day 1 every 3 weeks) and 5-FU (200 mg/m2 daily given by continuous infusion via a central line).

 

– ECX: epirubicin (50 mg/m2 as a bolus on day 1 every 3 weeks), cisplatin (60 mg/m2 as a two hour infusion on day 1 every 3 weeks), and capecitabine (625 mg/m2 twice daily continuously).

 

– EOF: epirubicin (50 mg/m2 as a bolus on day 1 every 3 weeks), oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2 given as a 2 hour infusion on day 1 every three weeks), and 5-FU (200 mg/m2 daily given by continuous infusion via a central line).

 

– EOX: epirubicin (50 mg/m2 as a bolus on day 1 every 3 weeks), oxaliplatin (130 mg/m2 given as a 2 hour infusion on day 1 every three weeks), and capecitabine (625 mg/m2 twice daily continuously).

 

The primary efficacy analyses in the per protocol population demonstrated non-inferiority in overall survival for capecitabine- vs 5-FU-based regimens (hazard ratio 0.86; 95 % CI 0.8 – 0.99) and for oxaliplatin- vs cisplatin-based regimens (hazard ratio 0.92; 95 % CI 0.80 – 1.1). The median overall survival was 10.9 months in capecitabine-based regimens and 9.6 months in 5-FU based regimens. The median overall survival was 10.0 months in cisplatin-based regimens and 10.4 months in oxaliplatin-based regimens.

 

Capecitabine has also been used in combination with oxaliplatin for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Studies with capecitabine monotherapy indicate that capecitabine has activity in advanced gastric cancer.

 

Colon, colorectal and advanced gastric cancer: meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of six clinical trials (studies SO14695, SO14796, M66001, NO16966, NO16967, M17032) supports capecitabine replacing 5-FU in mono- and combination treatment in gastrointestinal cancer. The pooled analysis includes 3,097 patients treated with capecitabine-containing regimens and 3,074 patients treated with 5-FU-containing regimens. Median overall survival time was 703 days (95 % CI: 671; 745) in patients treated with capecitabine-containing regimens and 683 days (95 % CI: 646; 715) in patients treated with 5-FU-containing regimens. The hazard ratio for overall survival was 0.94 (95 % CI: 0.89; 1.00, p = 0.0489) indicating that capecitabine-containing regimens are non-inferior to 5-FU- containing regimens.

 

Breast cancer

Combination therapy with capecitabine and docetaxel in locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer

 Data from one multicentre, randomised, controlled phase III clinical trial support the use of capecitabine in combination with docetaxel for treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of cytotoxic chemotherapy, including an anthracycline. In this trial, 255 patients were randomised to treatment with capecitabine (1,250 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks followed by 1-week rest period and docetaxel 75 mg/m 2 as a 1 hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks). 256 patients were randomised to treatment with docetaxel alone (100 mg/m2 as a 1 hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks). Survival was superior in the capecitabine + docetaxel combination arm (p = 0.0126). Median survival was 442 days (capecitabine + docetaxel) vs. 352 days (docetaxel alone). The overall objective response rates in the all-randomised population (investigator assessment) were 41.6 % (capecitabine + docetaxel) vs. 29.7 % (docetaxel alone); p = 0.0058. Time to progressive disease was superior in the capecitabine + docetaxel combination arm (p < 0.0001). The median time to progression was 186 days (capecitabine + docetaxel) vs. 128 days (docetaxel alone).

 

Monotherapy with capecitabine after failure of taxanes, anthracycline containing chemotherapy, and for whom anthracycline therapy is not indicated

 Data from two multicentre phase II clinical trials support the use of capecitabine monotherapy for treatment of patients after failure of taxanes and an anthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimen or for whom further anthracycline therapy is not indicated. In these trials, a total of 236 patients were treated with capecitabine (1,250 mg/m2 twice daily for 2 weeks followed by 1-week rest period). The overall objective response rates (investigator assessment) were 20 % (first trial) and 25 % (second trial). The median time to progression was 93 and 98 days. Median survival was 384 and 373 days.

 

All indications

A meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials with data from over 4,700 patients treated with capecitabine monotherapy or capecitabine in combination with different chemotherapy regimens in multiple indications (colon, colorectal, gastric and breast cancer) showed that patients on capecitabine who developed HFS had a longer overall survival compared to patients who did not develop HFS: median overall survival 1,100 days (95 % CI 1,007;1,200) vs 691 days (95 % CI 638;754) with a hazard ratio of 0.61 (95 % CI 0.56; 0.66).

 

Paediatric population

The European Medicines Agency has waived the obligation to conduct studies with capecitabine in all subsets of the paediatric population in adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum, gastric adenocarcinoma and breast carcinoma.

 

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of capecitabine have been evaluated over a dose range of 502 – 3,514 mg/m2/day. The parameters of capecitabine, 5′-DFCR and 5′-DFUR measured on days 1 and 14 were similar. The AUC of 5-FU was 30 % – 35 % higher on day 14. Capecitabine dose reduction decreases systemic exposure to 5-FU more than dose-proportionally, due to non–linear pharmacokinetics for the active metabolite.

 

Absorption

After oral administration, capecitabine is rapidly and extensively absorbed, followed by extensive conversion to the metabolites, 5′-DFCR and 5′-DFUR. Administration with food decreases the rate of capecitabine absorption, but only results in a minor effect on the AUC of 5′-DFUR, and on the AUC of the subsequent metabolite 5-FU. At the dose of 1,250 mg/m2 on day 14 with administration after food intake, the peak plasma concentrations (Cmax in µg/ml) for capecitabine, 5′-DFCR, 5′-DFUR, 5-FU and FBAL were 4.67, 3.05, 12.1, 0.95 and 5.46 respectively. The time to peak plasma concentrations (Tmax in hours) were 1.50, 2.00, 2.00, 2.00 and 3.34. The AUC0-∞ values in μgh/ml were 7.75, 7.24, 24.6, 2.03 and 36.3.

 

Distribution

In vitro human plasma studies have determined that capecitabine, 5′-DFCR, 5′-DFUR and 5-FU are 54 %, 10 %, 62 % and 10 % protein bound, mainly to albumin.

 

Biotransformation

Capecitabine is first metabolised by hepatic carboxylesterase to 5′-DFCR, which is then converted to 5′-DFUR by cytidine deaminase, principally located in the liver and tumour tissues. Further catalytic activation of 5′-DFUR then occurs by ThyPase. The enzymes involved in the catalytic activation are found in tumour tissues but also in normal tissues, albeit usually at lower levels. The sequential enzymatic biotransformation of capecitabine to 5-FU leads to higher concentrations within tumour tissues. In the case of colorectal tumours, 5-FU generation appears to be in large part localised in tumour stromal cells. Following oral administration of capecitabine to patients with colorectal cancer, the ratio of 5-FU concentration in colorectal tumours to adjacent tissues was 3.2 (ranged from 0.9 to 8.0). The ratio of 5-FU concentration in tumour to plasma was 21.4 (ranged from 3.9 to 59.9, n = 8) whereas the ratio in healthy tissues to plasma was 8.9 (ranged from 3.0 to 25.8, n = 8). ThyPase activity was measured and found to be 4 times greater in primary colorectal tumour than in adjacent normal tissue. According to immunohistochemical studies, ThyPase appears to be in large part localised in tumour stromal cells.

 

5-FU is further catabolised by the enzyme DPD to the much less toxic dihydro-5-uorouracil (FUH2). Dihydropyrimidinase cleaves the pyrimidine ring to yield 5-fluoro-ureidopropionic acid (FUPA). Finally, β-ureido- propionase cleaves FUPA to FBAL which is cleared in the urine. DPD activity is the rate limiting step. Deciency of DPD may lead to increased toxicity of Capecitabine.

 

Elimination

The elimination half-life (t1/2 in hours) of capecitabine, 5′-DFCR, 5′-DFUR, 5-FU and FBAL were 0.85, 1.11, 0.66, 0.76 and 3.23 respectively. Capecitabine and its metabolites are predominantly excreted in urine; 95.5 % of administered capecitabine dose is recovered in urine. Faecal excretion is minimal (2.6 %). The major metabolite excreted in urine is FBAL, which represents 57 % of the administered dose. About 3 % of the administered dose is excreted in urine unchanged.

 

Combination therapy

Phase I studies evaluating the effect of capecitabine on the pharmacokinetics of either docetaxel or paclitaxel and vice versa showed no effect by capecitabine on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel or paclitaxel (Cmax and AUC) and no effect by docetaxel or paclitaxel on the pharmacokinetics of 5′-DFUR.

 

Pharmacokinetics in special populations

A population pharmacokinetic analysis was carried out after capecitabine treatment of 505 patients with colorectal cancer dosed at 1,250 mg/m2 twice daily. Gender, presence or absence of liver metastasis at baseline, Karnofsky Performance Status, total bilirubin, serum albumin, aspartate-aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine-aminotransferase (ALAT) had no statistically    significant     effect on the pharmacokinetics of  5′-DFUR, 5-FU and FBAL.

 

Patients with hepatic impairment due to liver metastases

According to a pharmacokinetic study in cancer patients with mild to moderate liver impairment due to liver metastases, the bioavailability of capecitabine and exposure to 5-FU may increase compared to patients with no liver impairment. There are no pharmacokinetic data on patients with severe hepatic impairment.

 

Patients with renal impairment

Based on a pharmacokinetic study in cancer patients with mild to severe renal impairment, there is no evidence for an effect of creatinine clearance on the pharmacokinetics of intact drug and 5-FU. Creatinine clearance was found to influence the systemic exposure to 5′-DFUR (35 % increase in AUC when creatinine clearance decreases by 50 %) and to FBAL (114 % increase in AUC when creatinine clearance decreases by 50 %). FBAL is a metabolite without antiproliferative activity.

 

Elderly

Based on the population pharmacokinetic analysis, which included patients with a wide range of ages (27 to 86 years) and included 234 (46 %) patients greater or equal to 65, age has no inuence on the pharmacokinetics of 5′-DFUR and 5-FU. The AUC of FBAL increased with age (20 % increase in age results in a 15 % increase in the AUC of FBAL). This increase is likely due to a change in renal function.

 

Ethnic factors

Following oral administration of 825 mg/m2 capecitabine twice daily for 14 days, Japanese patients (n = 18) had about 36% lower Cmax and 24 % lower AUC for capecitabine than Caucasian patients (n = 22). Japanese patients had also about 25 % lower Cmaxand 34 % lower AUC for FBAL than Caucasian patients. The clinical relevance of these differences is unknown. No significant differences occurred in the exposure to other metabolites (5′-DFCR, 5′-DFUR, and 5-FU).

 

PHARMACEUTICALPARTICULARS

List of Excipients:

Lactose Anhydrous

Croscarmellose Sodium

Corn starch

Micro crystalline Cellulose

Talc

Colloidal silicon dioxide

Magnesium stearate

Hypromellose

Polyethylene glycol

Titanium Dioxide

Red iron oxide

Purified water

 

Shelf life: 36 Months

 

Storage: Store in a cool & dry place below 30°C

Protect from light & moisture

 

Nature and contents of container:

10 tablets in a Alu-Alu (cold formable) blister. 12 such blisters are placed in a carton.

 

Manufactured By:

M/s Jodas Expoim Pvt. Ltd.

Plot No. 55, Phase III, Biotech Park,

Karkapatla (V), Markook (Mdl),

Siddipet District -502 279, Telangana

INDIA

 

Product of:

Grace Biogen Pty.Ltd.

Syndney Australia