Xeloda and Folic Acid

I've read that you should be careful to not take folic acid while being treated with Xeloda. Can anyone give me any information as to why??
Thanks....Amy

This is the first I have ever heard of this...

I am actually on Xeloda (lower dose) & folic acid (1mg / day). My onc told me that folic acid is full of B-complex vitamins, which is, I think, to hopefully prevent from getting the Hand / Foot Syndrome.

Please keep me posted on this. I would like to read any sources you may have. So... any more input, anyone out there??

Thanks

Hi Jojo,
I really don't know much more than it could possibly interfere with Xeloda's effectiveness....I'll try to find out more info. What dosage of Xeloda are you taking?? I'm taking 4000mgs per day. Do you mind sharing your details with me. I'm new to this board so sorry if you have to repeat. Thanks...
Love and prayers....Amy

Hi Amy,

You seem to be taking a high dosage of Xeloda, but I am not saying that it is "too high". I have heard of others taking equally as you. I am taking 2,500 mg per day. My onc declared that I would be having a "lower" dosage, but I do not know if that is my lowest, though. No side effects so far. You?

As far as my knowledge about the folic acid is that I only know that it would be significant for women to start taking it, I think, around 3 or 4 months prior to getting pregnant. My nutritionist did tell me that 1mg of folic acid seems too high, in her opinion.

I think that we both would need to take some kind of vitamin that is good for our skin, hence the very common Hand / Foot Syndrome. Isn't Vitamin E supposed to be good for the skin?

I will ask my nurse practitioner about the folic acid in the next appt, as she is currently having a vacation for 1 whole month. Lucky dog, isn't she?!?!

Let's keep in touch & compare notes.

Hi Amy and JoJo- I was on 4000 mg of xeloda and had so much diahreah that they reduced it to 3500. My feet were peeling and they hurt to walk sometimes but now the skin on the bottom of my feet is soft like baby skin.I have post nasal drip (I think from the herceptin which causes me to cough) I take robitussun dm at night before bed. Another thing, one day I went outside without sunscreen and got red and purple blotches on my arms and hands. Did either of you get that? They went away but whenever I don't wear sunscreen, I get them again. God Bless-Cathy

Hi Cathy,

I have been on Xeloda for only 1 week so far. I have yet to get any side effects... I will let you know if they do appear.

I did hear about the sensitivity to sun. I am olive-skinned and I RARELY get sunburns. But I still will take a precaution!

Hi Cathy,
It will only be a week this Thursday since I started taking Xeloda so I am not experiencing alot of side effects as of yet. How long after did you start seeing ill side effects???? Thanks for sharing your experience. Take care....Amy

Hi Amy- I think it was probably about the second week of the second round. I took 2 weeks on and one week off and then , I think the second week of the next round- I started with diahreah. Also, a nosebleed when I blew my nose, which I never had before. Some of the girls on the board warned me to not let the diahreah get out of control because two of them landed in the hospital for a few weeks with dehydration. So, now after I get diahreah twice in one day, I take immodium. They say you can take up to 8 immodium a day, but I only end up taking two a day when needed. One night though, I had diahreah every five minutes all night long. It was awful. After that- I never hesitated in taking the immodium. Don't forget - it really helps!! God Bless- Cathy

Thanks Cathy!! I appreciate your advice!! God Bless...Amy

Amy,
As mentioned a while back, the dosages published from the clinical trials appear to have been high and the common rule of thumb is 75% of the optimal dosage should give you a relatively side-effect free experience.

JOJO,
the B vitamin that helps for the hand / fott syndrome is Vitamin B-6 and NOT folic. In the consumer pamphlet it states, "Folic acid may affect how XELODA works".
Based upon that alone, I wouldn't take it.

Regards,
Al

Hi Al- I remembered you told me awhile ago something about cutting the dose in half. I was on 4000 mg daily, two weeks on, one week off and had strong side effects, especially diahreah and nosebleed. Now they cut it down to 3000. The scans showed that there was shrinkage while I was on the 4000. Do you think 3000 will work too God Bless You- Cathy

Cathy,
I'm not an onc but yes, I believe that the reduced doseage is just as effective. Don't forget that the side effects we "see" are the side effect 'tip of the iceberg". Who knows what goes on on a cellular level? Mitagation of side effects is paramont to a good Q of L. 3000 mg seems to be the common dosage now-a-days.
Take care,
Al

Thanks Al, for your input...I really appreciate it. I'm new to this site so I'm sure I've missed a ton of good info. Thanks.....God Bless, Amy