Best time to take tykerb

bailey · 05-01-2007, 04:27 PM

I will be starting the tykerb/xeloda combo early next week. I was told I will be taking 5 pills/day of tykerb at 250mg. each and with the xeloda I'll be taking 3 pills, 2 times/day at 500mg. each. I was told to take the tykerb in the a.m. with water an hour prior to food and the xeloda with food 3 in the a.m. and 3 with dinner - 14 days on with xeloda and 7 days off.
How does this sound to you ladies who are taking these 2 drugs and do you have any recommendations for me?
would appreciate all the info. I can get.
Thanks
B

SoCalGal · 05-02-2007, 08:45 AM

Hi Bailey,
I am on day 27 of the ty/xeloda deal. I was taking (5) tykerb in the AM then wait one hour, and eat breakfast then take 2 xeloda. Then after dinner anothr 2 xeloda. I think the recommendation from the trial is 2000 mg a day of xeloda (total 4 pills). For the past 3 nights, I tried tykerb right before bedtime, at like 11:00. I think it was waking me up with the runs, so today I'm switching back to the morning routine...infact, I just took them now.
Someone told me (pharmacy or Tykerb "cares") that you need to wait 2 hours after a meal but now I've read the fine print which states 1 hour prior or 1 hour following.

BTW I think Tykerb "cares" is an oxymoron. Today I am going to try and stay on a low dose of ativan and see if that doesn't help calm my side effects with the nausea.

Hope you have an easy day, Flori

koolmom · 05-02-2007, 04:48 PM

I'm right here with you guys. Start Xeloda 9 days ago. Just got my Tykerb today. I came on here to see if I was supposed to take the 5 pills at the same time. I assume I am. Still debating the night vs. morning dosage. I guess I will try it tonight. I'm glad I have found this support board. I feel like everyone has there arms around me...even though I have only posted once, just reading the posts, we are all in the same boat.....sometimes we feel like the boat is sinking, but we just start bailing harder. LOL.

bailey · 05-02-2007, 05:08 PM

I will be starting next Wed. There are a few different ways I've read to take all these meds - some swear by Tykerb at night but someone said they woke up a few times with the runs others take it in the morning. The xeloda is am and pm. With the tykerb you take the 5 pills all at once - that much I do know. How many xeloda are you taking a.m. and p.m. - I will be taking 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. - seems a bit high from what I've read so we'll see how it goes. Just thankful that there is a new drug out there like this and the side effects can be adjusted with your onc accordingly. I think I'll keep daily notes on how I feel at least for awhile to go over with the onc.
Otherwise we are all good to go and yes in it together. I too am thankful for these posts and someone to talk to about it.
How have you been on the xeloda so far?
B

hutchibk · 05-02-2007, 09:58 PM

I start Xeloda tomorrow morning and Tykerb on Friday or Monday, depending on when it arrives in the mail.

Lets see, here's what I learned today...

Xeloda I will take 3pills AM (1500 mg) and 4pills PM (2000 mg) = 3500mg(!) for 14 days and then 7 days off.

Tykerb needs to be taken on empty stomach, so I will take the 5pills either {1 hour before breakfast/Xeloda, or 2 hours after breakfast/Xeloda} or {2 hours after dinner/Xeloda, before bed}, every day.

I asked about when to take my B complex and the pharmacist at my clinic said wait 2 hours after each Xeloda... 50mg twice a day. (increasing to 100mg twice a day if needed).

I guess I will need to take my once a week Fosamax 1/2 hour before Tykerb one day every week...might be time to switch to Boniva so I can take it once a month on my Xeloda OFF week.

I have my Zofran and immodium ready if I need them and gingerale on ice.

Yikes, here we go! Like Taffy said last week, I am a bit apprehensive about what tomorrow might bring...

koolmom · 05-03-2007, 07:30 AM

Okay, took my first Tykerb last night around 11:30. I had supper late and wanted to be sure I waited two hours. I didn't really feel bad. I did have 3-4 episodes of diarrhea through the night, but it was nausea and diarrhea, just diarrhea.

The Xeloda seems to be going okay. I'm on 3 in the am and 3 in the pm. I see my oncologist next week and think I will be moved to 4 in the morning and 4 pm. I'm on day #10. My 4-6 days I had diarrhea, but it seems to have subsided, until I added the Tykerb. I have felt good on the Xeloda (last night I was very tired). I also took at Ativan with it - just incase. I was a little nervous about the side effects. I keep forgetting to take the B6 Vitamin. So - so far, so good. Keep me posted on your experiences! Thank you guys!

bailey · 05-03-2007, 07:44 AM

I'm curious to know what they think the B6 is suppose to do for you? Also, have any of you heard of any hair loss. When I received my pills yesterday and the Onc. mentioned it they state some hair loss although when I talked to the care division they said non was reported so I'm curious to know. Also, any reddening of the hands and feet yet?
B