The active substances are those that have a therapeutic effect and, in general, are only part of the composition of the remedy, as soon as there are still excipients. Thus, they are responsible for the action of the medication.
They are usually achieved through manipulation or manufacturing in laboratories and research centers.
An example of an active substance is Capecitabine, which is used by some laboratories to compose the formulas of medicines that can be indicated to treat some types of cancer .
- 1 What is Capecitabine?
- 2 What is the medicine Capecitabine for?
- 3 How to take?
- 4 What are the side effects of Xeloda (Capecitabine)?
- 5 Contraindications
- 6 Does hair fall out?
- 7 Cures cancer? Is it chemotherapy?
- 8 Brands and prices
- 9 Does SUS provide Capecitabine?
- 10 Does ANVISA approve capecitabine?
What is Capecitabine?
Capecitabine is an active substance present in medicines indicated for the treatment of some types of cancer (breast, colorectal and gastric).
Its presentation is in tablets. The use should always be accompanied by professionals, as the medication can cause adverse reactions (such as diarrhea , loss of appetite, vomiting) and influence the ability to drive and operate machines as it can cause dizziness .
After treatment, 95.5% of the drug is excreted in the urine and 2.6% is excreted in the faeces.
What is the medicine Capecitabine for?
Capecitabine (active substance) is indicated for the treatment of some types of tumors and cancer – metastatic or not – such as breast, colorectal (part of the digestive system) and gastric. This remedy is generally recommended for cases where the tumor was resistant to other chemotherapy drugs.
Metastatic cancer is when the disease spreads to other parts of the body.
For example, if a patient has early breast cancer and the disease spreads to other parts of the body, such as the intestine or lung, the patient will have a metastatic tumor.
How to take?
The dosage of this remedy must be indicated by the doctor who accompanies the patient’s treatment.
In general, you should take between 1 and 2 tablets a day (morning and evening) with a maximum interval of up to 30 minutes after meals (coffee and dinner).
The tablet should not be chewed, broken or cut in half, as this may cause it to lose its effectiveness.
What are the side effects of Xeloda (Capecitabine)?
The common side effects of this medicine are: loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, mouth sores, tiredness , deep sleep, redness of the skin, swelling, tingling in the limbs, anemia , decreased blood cell cells and thrombosis .
In addition to these adverse reactions, in more rare cases, Xeloda can still cause:
- Lacrimation of the eyes;
- Muscle and bone weakness;
- Kidney and liver failure;
- Wounds and rashes on the skin;
- Pain in general (in the head, back, limbs, belly).
People who have kidney problems should not use this medication, as it can worsen kidney failure and stone.
Anyone who is allergic to one of the components of the formula or to Fluoropyrimidine or fluorouracil should also avoid this remedy.
Capecitabine is still contraindicated for patients who have complete deficiency of the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (missing enzyme activity).
Pregnant women should not use this medicine, as it can cause poor development in the baby. In addition, for children under 18, the safety of this treatment is not established.
Does hair fall out?
Yes, Capecitabine can make hair and body hair fall out.
The package leaflet for this medication indicates that the situation happens to at least 5% of people who are treated with it.
This condition is known as alopecia and causes the hair to fall gradually, that is, the hair will not fall out all at once, but in tufts.
Alopecia tends to last for as long as the medicine is used. But the wires should be born again a few months after the treatment is finished.
Eyebrows, beards and other body hair can also fall out during treatment.
Cures cancer? Is it chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a treatment made with drugs that act on the functioning of cells and, thus, prevents the growth of malignant tumors. The cure, however, also depends on other factors, such as the body’s responses to treatment.
Based on this, Capecitabine is part of the drugs that can be used as chemotherapy and that can help in curing the disease.
Brands and prices
This active substance is handled by some laboratories and prices may vary. The options are *:
* Prices consulted in November 2019. Prices may change.
Roche is a company that has been in the market for over 30 years. It is a reference for highly complex drugs such as those used in the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer’s, hemophilia and multiple sclerosis.
In that laboratory, Capecitabine is manipulated into a drug called Xeloda . The 150mg box contains 60 tablets and the 500mg box contains 120 tablets.
The price offered to the consumer (a) for the box with 120 tablets is from R $ 2,550 *.
Sun pharma (Ranbaxy)
Sun pharma is the largest Indian pharmaceutical company. In the market since 1983, and currently it exports medicines to several countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe.
This laboratory offers Capecitabine in 3 different ways:
- Capecitabine Sun Pharma : this is one of the generic presentations. The average value is R $ 1,767.09 * per box with 120 tablets of 500mg;
- Capecare : this similar interchangeable drug, that is, it has the same safety and efficiency as the reference drug. The most affordable box has 30 pills with 150mg and can be purchased for R $ 184.78 *.
Eurofarma is the first fully Brazilian pharmaceutical company. Founded in the 70s, today it operates in more than 20 countries in Latin America and Africa.
The medicine known as Corretal is the similar equivalent to Xeloda. The amount offered to the consumer is approximately R $ 568.61 *.
EMS has been in the market for 50 years promoting health and well-being. The Brazilian company manufactures and exports medicines to 40 countries around the world.
Coama is the name of the drug with Capecitabine as an active ingredient, which is presented in boxes with 60 tablets (about R $ 544.99) and 120 tablets (about R $ 1,089.97) *.
Does SUS provide Capecitabine?
Yes, the Unified Health System provides Capecitabine for cases of cancer treatment.
To obtain this right, the patient needs to go to a basic health unit and present a medical report that proves the need for this medicine.
Then, the basic health unit team itself will forward a request to the Specialized Pharmaceutical Assistance Component (CEAF).
This body, together with the Ministry of Health, will make the request for the medication to the Public Ministry, which is responsible for analyzing the administrative request.
In negative cases, patients can still go to court to obtain the medication.
Does ANVISA approve capecitabine?
Yes, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) has approved the use of Capecitabine since 2015, when the drug was registered in Brazil. However, the organ reinforces the importance of using this drug only as indicated on the package insert and under the supervision of an oncologist medicine professional.
Capecitabine is an active substance indicated for the treatment of some types of cancer. The Consultations Remedies helps patients who need to make legal quotations to obtain this and other medications!
Just access the link , fill out the form with your request so that we can send the quote. Simple and uncomplicated, for you to pay attention to your health, which is what really matters!