• From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,488

Topic: Does 5-FU work just as well as Xeloda?

I was just wondering if anyone knew if 5-Fu worked as well as Xeloda. Lauren's oncologist seems to favor Xeloda and I don't understand why. Xeloda gives her a bunch of problems and 5-Fu was a breeze. What do you think? She is also on Gemzar at this time. She was on Oxaliplation with Xeloda, but had the allergic reaction to Oxaliplatin and has since been put back on Gemzar. Thanks in advance for your input.

-Pam

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • From: Phillipsburg NJ
  • Registered: Mon, 21 Dec 2009
  • Posts: 154

Re: Does 5-FU work just as well as Xeloda?

Hi Pam...As with everything with this disease...I have no answers...but I can tell you that after my first resection I did recieve 5-Fu along with 4 other meds...I don't remember all of them now but I know I did receive Gemzar...Leucovorin....sorry can't remember the other two....I received chemo over a 2 day period and tolerated it very well...second time I had chemo I took Xeloda...Nexavar...Abraxane and Gemzar....Nexavar and Xeloda I took orally and went 1 day every other week for infusion...I have to say I experienced more side effects my second round of chemo which I might add was with a different Onc....I know you are a terrific advocate for Lauren...I realize this does not help much...I feel I tolerated 5-Fu better then Xeloda also...but as my surgeon tells me chemotherapy is a not a science its an art...Praying for Lauren!
Nancy

  • From: Uniontown, Ohio
  • Registered: Fri, 23 Sep 2011
  • Posts: 1,488

Re: Does 5-FU work just as well as Xeloda?

Thanks, Nancy. 5-FU is so easy for her, but she hated being connected to the pump for 48 hrs. Xeloda makes her feel awful and she said she would rather have the dreaded pump. Every time we ask Dr. Z, he always says he feels Xeloda is a better fit, but if it is the same, what does it matter. I can't help thinking the Xeloda must work better because you take it every day and the infusion is just 48 hours. We are definitely going to have a serious chat when we see him on Wed. Thanks again for your input, Nancy.

-Pam

Hoping for a miracle for my daughter, Lauren.

My comments, suggestions, and opinions are based on my experience as a caretaker for my daughter, Lauren and from reading anything I can get my hands on about Cholangiocarcinoma. Please consult a physician for professional guidance.

Pamela's Website

  • eli
  • eli
  • Legend
  • Offline
  • From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: Tue, 08 Nov 2011
  • Posts: 561

Re: Does 5-FU work just as well as Xeloda?

Hi Pam,

5-FU infusion can run longer than 48 hours. My wife was connected to the pump 5 weeks in a row when she did chemo-radiation. They changed her bottle once a week. She only got a few short breaks between the bottles.

I don't know what works better: a daily pill of Xeloda, or non-stop infusion of 5-FU. I haven't seen any data one way or the other.

Xeloda is much easier to administer than 5-FU. That might be the reason why Dr.Z prefers Xeloda. Definitely ask him why he thinks it's a better fit. He owes you a good explanation.

Eli

  • Registered: Fri, 15 Oct 2010
  • Posts: 1,735

Re: Does 5-FU work just as well as Xeloda?

Hi,
It takes a while  but for biliary tract CCA ; 5FU injection as bolus and continuous IV infusion(diluted) over 24 hours or as 5FU IV pump(undiluted) for 48hr,+Gemzar has been used on day 1 and Gemzar only on day 8, repeat every 21 days as a cycle; continue regimen until disease progress or unacceptable toxicity occur(ie: ataxia)
Patient compliance is the major advantage for Xeloda.
5FU as a chemosensitizer used in radiation treatment may not be effective due to the lower dosage used as a chemosensitizer as compare to using 5FU in the treatment of CCA, the disease.
God bless.

Please know that my personal opinion is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If  provided, information are for educational purposes.Consult doctor is a MUST for changing of treatment plans.