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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Vomiting And Diarrhea While On Capecitabine?

My 88 year old Mother has lymphoma cancer and is taking capecitabine tablets. 4 in the morning and 4 in the evening for 14 days. 150 mg for 1 tablet and 500mg for the other 3. She is very very sick from this. Vomiting, nauseau, diarrhea with blood, fever, weakness. My question is, do you think an 88 year should be taking this medicine or this many at one time. Her quality of life is not worth it in my opinion. Her doctor told her she would not get sick and I ve tried calling the doctor 3 times and leaving messages. But she has not returned my phone calls. What do you think about this? Thank you
posted on Mon, 7 Aug 2017
Twitter Sat, 28 Oct 2017 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 31 Oct 2017 Last reviewed on
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
This is quite common with chemotherapy drugs. First, they are plain irritating to the body and trigger nausea and vomiting.
But also the kill off the lining of the stomach and gut. This is one of their dose limiting toxicities and can be fatal .

If someone cannot keep liquids down they will become dehydrated progressively. Nearly everyone can tolerate 24 hrs without any water intake. BUT if someone cannot take in any fluid that is a reason for hospitatalization.
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What Causes Vomiting And Diarrhea While On Capecitabine?

This is quite common with chemotherapy drugs. First, they are plain irritating to the body and trigger nausea and vomiting. But also the kill off the lining of the stomach and gut. This is one of their dose limiting toxicities and can be fatal . If someone cannot keep liquids down they will become dehydrated progressively. Nearly everyone can tolerate 24 hrs without any water intake. BUT if someone cannot take in any fluid that is a reason for hospitatalization.