Sandoz Capecitabine Product Monograph

Recent Major Label Changes

Table of Contents

Certain sections or subsections that are not applicable at the time of the preparation of the most recent authorized product monograph are not listed.

Recent Major Label Changes ................................................................................................................ 2

Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................. 2

Part 1: Healthcare Professional Information………………………………………………………………………………………7

1. 1.

   Indications ............................................................................................................................... 4

   1.1. Pediatrics ............................................................................................................................ 4

   1.2. Geriatrics ............................................................................................................................. 4

2. 2. Contraindications .................................................................................................................... 5
3. 3. Serious Warnings and Precautions Box .................................................................................... 5
4. 4.

   Dosage and Administration ..................................................................................................... 6

   4.1. Dosing Considerations ........................................................................................................ 6

   4.2. Recommended Dose and Dosage Adjustment ................................................................... 6

   4.5. Missed Dose ...................................................................................................................... 10

5. 5. Overdose ............................................................................................................................... 10
6. 6. Dosage Forms, Strengths, Composition and Packaging ........................................................... 10
7. 7. Warnings and Precautions ..................................................................................................... 11

General…………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……11

Carcinogenesis and Genotoxicity ................................................................................................................ 12

Cardiovascular…. ......................................................................................................................................... 12

Driving and Operating Machinery ............................................................................................................... 12

Endocrine and Metabolism ......................................................................................................................... 12

Gastrointestinal …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13

Hematologic…….. ........................................................................................................................................ 13

Hepatic/Biliary/Pancreatic .......................................................................................................................... 14

Immune…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14

Monitoring and Laboratory Tests ............................................................................................................... 14

Neurologic………………………. ......................................................................................................................... 15

Renal………………………. .................................................................................................................................. 15

Reproductive Health: Female and Male Potential ...................................................................................... 15

Skin……………………….. ................................................................................................................................... 16

7.1. Special Populations ........................................................................................................... 16

7.1.1. Pregnancy ............................................................................................................... 16

7.1.2. Breastfeeding .......................................................................................................... 16

7.1.3.Pediatrics ................................................................................................................. 16

7.1.4.Geriatrics .................................................................................................................. 16

1. 8.

   Adverse Reactions ................................................................................................................. 17

   8.1. Adverse Reaction Overview .............................................................................................. 17

   8.2. Clinical Trial Adverse Reactions ........................................................................................ 17

   8.3. Less Common Clinical Trial Adverse Reactions ................................................................. 18

   8.4. Abnormal Laboratory Findings: Hematologic, Clinical Chemistry and Other Quantitative Data…… .......................................................................................................................................... 25

   8.5. Post-Market Adverse Reactions ........................................................................................ 29

2. 9.

   Drug Interactions ................................................................................................................... 29

   9.4. Drug-Drug Interactions ..................................................................................................... 29

   9.5. Drug-Food Interactions ..................................................................................................... 31

3. 10.

   Clinical Pharmacology ............................................................................................................ 31

   10.1. Mechanism of Action ........................................................................................................ 31

   10.3. Pharmacokinetics .............................................................................................................. 32

4. 11. Storage, Stability and Disposal ............................................................................................... 34
5. 12. Special Handling Instructions ................................................................................................. 34

Part 2: Scientific Information…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….39

1. 13. Pharmaceutical Information .................................................................................................. 36
2. 14.

   Clinical Trials ......................................................................................................................... 36

   14.1. Trial Design and Study Demographics ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

   14.2. Study Results ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

   14.3. Comparative Bioavailability Studies ................................................................................. 44

3. 16. Non-Clinical Toxicology .......................................................................................................... 46
4. 17. Supporting Product Monographs ........................................................................................... 57

Patient Medication Information ......................................................................................................... 58

Part 1: Healthcare Professional Information

1. Indications

Caution: Sandoz Capecitabine (capecitabine tablets) is a potent drug and should be prescribed only by physicians experienced with cancer chemotherapeutic drugs.

Sandoz Capecitabine (capecitabine tablets) is indicated for:

Colorectal Cancer

Monotherapy

• Sandoz Capecitabine (capecitabine tablets) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage III (Dukes’ stage C) colon cancer.
• Sandoz Capecitabine is also indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Combination Therapy

Sandoz Capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin is indicated for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer following failure of irinotecan-containing combination chemotherapy.

In second-line metastatic disease, subgroup analyses for PFS and OS for age suggest that capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin may be less effective in patients over the age of 65. Clinical studies suggest an increase in the incidence of adverse events. See 14 Clinical Trials and 7 Warnings and Precautions.

Breast Cancer

Monotherapy

Sandoz Capecitabine is also indicated for the treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of standard therapy including a taxane, unless therapy with a taxane is clinically contraindicated.

Combination Therapy

Sandoz Capecitabine in combination with docetaxel is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior anthracycline containing chemotherapy.

1.1. Pediatrics

Pediatrics (˂18 years of age): Based on the data submitted and reviewed by Health Canada, the safety and efficacy of Sandoz Capecitabine in pediatric patients has not been established; therefore, Health Canada has not authorized an indication for pediatric use. (See 14. Clinical Trials and 10.3. Pharmacokinetics, Special Populations and Conditions).

1.2. Geriatrics

Geriatrics (≥ 65 years of age): Based on the population pharmacokinetic analysis which included patients with a wide range of ages (27 to 86 years) and included 234 (46%) patients greater or equal to 65, age has no influence on the pharmacokinetics of 5’-DFUR and 5-FU. However, the elderly may be pharmacodynamically more sensitive to the toxic effects of 5-FU (see 7.1.4 Geriatrics and 4 Dosage and Administration)

2. Contraindications

Sandoz Capecitabine is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to this drug, or to 5-fluorouracil or to any ingredient in the formulation including any non-medicinal ingredient, or component of the container. For a complete listing, see 6 Dosage Forms, Strengths, Composition and Packaging.

Sandoz Capecitabine is contraindicated in patients who have:

• Severe renal impairment (calculated creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min, or 0.5 mL/s).
• Complete absence of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity. Testing for DPD deficiency should be performed prior to initiating Sandoz Capecitabine unless immediate treatment is necessary, based on the local availability and current guidelines (see 7 Warnings and Precautions,Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency and 7 Warnings and Precautions,Monitoring and Laboratory Tests).

Due to potentially fatal drug interaction, Sandoz Capecitabine should not be administered concomitantly with sorivudine or its chemically related analogues, such as brivudine.

If contraindications exist to any of the agents in a combination regimen, that agent should not be used

3. Serious Warnings and Precautions Box

• Acute renal failure secondary to dehydration can be fatal. If Grade 2 (or higher) dehydration occurs, Sandoz Capecitabine treatment should be immediately interrupted and the dehydration corrected (see 7 Warnings and Precautions, Endocrine and Metabolism - Dehydration ).
• Similar to that of other fluorinated pyrimidines sudden death due to cardiotoxicity has been observed with capecitabine (see 7 Warnings and Precaution, Cardiovascular ).
• Sandoz Capecitabine can induce severe skin reactions such as hand-and-foot syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. If grade 2 (or higher) event occurs, administration of Sandoz Capecitabine should be immediately interrupted (see 7 Warnings and Precautions, Immune and 7 Warnings and Precautions, Skin).
• Severe toxicity (e.g. stomatitis, diarrhea, mucosal inflammation, neutropenia and neurotoxicity) associated with 5-FU has been attributed to a deficiency of DPD activity, an enzyme involved in fluorouracil degradation. Fatalities have been reported. Testing for DPD deficiency should be performed prior to initiating Sandoz Capecitabine unless immediate treatment is necessary, based on the local availability and current guidelines. (see 7 Warnings and Precautions, Endocrine and Metabolism-, DPD deficiency).

• Altered coagulation parameters and/or bleeding have been reported in patients taking capecitabine concomitantly with coumarin-derived anticoagulants such as warfarin. Patients taking coumarin-derivative anticoagulants concomitantly with Sandoz Capecitabine should be monitored regularly for alterations in their coagulation parameters (PT or INR) and the

  • anticoagulant dose adjusted accordingly (see 7 Warnings and Precautions, Hematologic).

4. Dosage and Administration

4.1. Dosing Considerations

• Sandoz Capecitabine is intended for long-term administration unless clinically inappropriate.
• Sandoz Capecitabine tablets should be swallowed whole with water within 30 minutes after a meal.
• Sandoz Capecitabine tablets should not be crushed or cut (see 8.5. Post-marketing Reports of Adverse Events).
• If patients cannot swallow Sandoz Capecitabine tablets whole and tablets must be crushed or cut, this should be done by a professional trained in the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs (see 12 Special Handling Instructions).

4.2. Recommended Dose and Dosage Adjustment

• Monotherapy: The recommended dose of Sandoz Capecitabine (capecitabine) is 1250 mg/m² administered twice daily (morning and evening; equivalent to 2500 mg/m² total daily dose) for 14 days followed by a seven day rest period.

  For adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer, Sandoz Capecitabine is intended to be given for a total of 8 cycles (or 24 weeks).

• Colorectal Cancer, Combination Therapy with Oxaliplatin: In combination with oxaliplatin the recommended dose of Sandoz Capecitabine is 1000 mg/m² twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 7-day rest period. The first dose of Sandoz Capecitabine is given on the evening of day 1 and the last dose is given on the morning of day 15. Given as a 3-weekly schedule, oxaliplatin is administered as a 130 mg/m² intravenous infusion over 2 hours.

  Premedication to maintain adequate anti-emesis according to the oxaliplatin Product Monograph should be started prior to oxaliplatin administration for patients receiving the Sandoz Capecitabine plus oxaliplatin combination.

• Locally advanced and/or Metastatic Breast Cancer, Combination Therapy with Docetaxel: In combination with docetaxel, the recommended starting dose of Sandoz Capecitabine is 1250 mg/m² twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 7-day rest period combined with docetaxel 75 mg/m² administered as a 1-hour intravenous infusion every 3 weeks (see 10 Clinical Pharmacology and 14.2 Study results, Breast Carcinoma). Premedication according to the docetaxel labelling, should be started prior to docetaxel administration for patients receiving the Sandoz Capecitabine plus docetaxel combination.

Dose calculation

Sandoz Capecitabine dose is calculated according to body surface area. Tables 1 and 2 show examples of the standard and reduced dose calculations for a Sandoz Capecitabine starting dose of either 1250 mg/m² or 1000 mg/m².

Table 1 Standard and reduced dose calculations according to body surface area for a starting Sandoz Capecitabine dose of 1250 mg/m²

Table 2 Standard and reduced dose calculations according to body surface area for a starting Sandoz Capecitabine dose of 1000 mg/m²

Dose Modification Guidelines

Patients should be carefully monitored for toxicity. Toxicity due to Sandoz Capecitabine administration may be managed by symptomatic treatment, dose interruptions and adjustment of Sandoz Capecitabine dose. Once the dose has been reduced it should not be increased at a later time.

For those toxicities considered by the treating physician to be unlikely to become serious or life-threatening, treatment can be continued at the same dose without reduction or interruption.

Dose modifications for the use of Sandoz Capecitabine are shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Recommended Dose Modifications for Sandoz Capecitabine

*According to the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trial Group (NCIC CTG) Common Toxicity Criteria (Version 1 or the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) of the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, US National Cancer Institute, version 3.0. For Hand-and-Foot Syndrome and hyperbilirubinemia (see 7 Warnings and Precautions).

Dosage modifications are not recommended for grade 1 events. Therapy with Sandoz Capecitabine should be interrupted upon the occurrence of a grade 2 or 3 adverse experience. Once the adverse event has resolved or decreased in intensity to grade 1, then Sandoz Capecitabine therapy may be restarted at full dose or as adjusted according to Table 3 for Sandoz Capecitabine monotherapy. If a grade 4 event occurs, therapy should be discontinued or interrupted until resolved or decreased to grade 1, and therapy should be restarted at 50% of the original dose. Patients taking Sandoz Capecitabine should be informed of the need to interrupt treatment immediately if moderate or severe toxicity occurs. Doses of Sandoz Capecitabine omitted for toxicity are not replaced.

Haematology: Patients with baseline neutrophil counts of <1.5 x 10⁹/L and/or thrombocyte counts of <100 x 10⁹/L should not be treated with Sandoz Capecitabine. If unscheduled laboratory assessments during a treatment cycle show grade 3 or 4 haematologic toxicity, treatment with Sandoz Capecitabine should be interrupted.

Combination Therapy: Dose modifications for toxicity when Sandoz Capecitabine is used in combination with other therapies should be made according to Table 3 above for Sandoz Capecitabine and according to the appropriate Product Monograph for the other agent(s).

At the beginning of a treatment cycle, if a treatment delay is indicated for either Sandoz Capecitabine or the other agent(s), then administration of all agents should be delayed until the requirements for restarting all drugs are met.

During a treatment cycle for those toxicities considered by the treating physician not to be related to Sandoz Capecitabine, Sandoz Capecitabine should be continued and the dose of the other agent adjusted according to the appropriate Product Monograph.

If the other agent(s) have to be discontinued permanently, Sandoz Capecitabine treatment can be resumed when the requirements for restarting Sandoz Capecitabine are met.

This advice is applicable to all indications and to all special populations.

Adjustment of Starting Dose in Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment: In patients with mild to moderate hepatic dysfunction due to liver metastases, no dose adjustment is necessary. Patients with severe hepatic dysfunction have not been studied (see 7 Warnings and Precautions).

Renal Impairment: In patients with moderate renal impairment (calculated creatinine clearance 30-50 mL/min [Cockroft and Gault]) at baseline, a dose reduction to 75% from a starting dose of 1250 mg/m² is recommended based upon pharmacokinetic and safety data (see 10 Clinical Pharmacology, 10.3 Pharmacokinetics, Special Populations and Conditions, Renal Insufficiency, and 7 Warnings and Precautions). In patients with mild renal impairment (calculated creatinine clearance 51-80 mL/min) no adjustment in starting dose is recommended. In patients with severe renal impairment, Sandoz Capecitabine should not be administered (see 2 Contraindications). Careful monitoring and prompt treatment interruption is recommended if the patient develops a grade 2, 3, or 4 adverse event, with subsequent dose adjustment as outlined in the tables above. If the calculated creatinine clearance decreases during treatment to a value below 30 mL/min, Sandoz Capecitabine should be discontinued. The dose adjustment recommendation for patients with moderate renal impairment applies both to monotherapy and combination use. For dosage calculations, see Table 1.

Geriatrics: No adjustment of the starting dose is needed for Sandoz Capecitabine. However for capecitabine monotherapy in the metastatic setting, severe Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were more frequent in patients over 80 years of age compared to younger patients. Careful monitoring of elderly patients is advisable.

When capecitabine was used in combination with other agents, elderly patients (≥ 65 years) experienced more grade 3 and grade 4 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and ADRs that led to discontinuation, than younger patients. Careful monitoring of elderly patients is advisable.

For treatment with capecitabine in combination with docetaxel, an increased incidence of Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events and treatment-related serious adverse events was observed in patients 60 years of age or more.

4.5. Missed Dose

If you forget a dose of Sandoz Capecitabine do not take the missed dose at all. Take your next dose at the usual time and check with your doctor. Do not take a double dose.

5. Overdose

The manifestations of acute overdose include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mucositis, GI irritation and bleeding, and bone marrow depression. Management of overdose should include customary therapeutic and supportive medical interventions aimed at correcting the presenting clinical manifestations and preventing their possible complications.

Administer uridine triacetate within 96 hours for management of Sandoz Capecitabine overdose. Although no clinical experience using dialysis as a treatment for Sandoz Capecitabine overdose has been reported, dialysis may be of benefit in reducing circulating concentrations of 5’-DFUR, a low– molecular-weight metabolite of the parent compound.

6. Dosage Forms, Strengths, Composition and Packaging

Table 4 – Dosage Forms, Strengths, and Composition

Each Sandoz Capecitabine 150 mg and 500 mg tablet contains either 150 mg or 500 mg capecitabine, respectively. Non-medicinal ingredients (alphabetical order): croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, red iron oxide, talc, titanium dioxide.

Description

Sandoz Capecitabine is available as a film-coated tablet in strengths of either 150 mg or 500 mg.

Sandoz Capecitabine 150 mg tablets are light pink-coloured, modified oval shaped tablets with debossment “150” on side. Sandoz Capecitabine 150 mg tablets are available in blister packs containing

For the most recent information in the management of a suspected drug overdose, contact your regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669).

60 tablets (10 tablets per blister card and 6 blister cards per carton).

Sandoz Capecitabine 500 mg tablets are pink-coloured, modified oval shaped tablets with debossment “500” on side. Sandoz Capecitabine 500 mg tablets are available in blister packs containing 120 tablets (10 tablets per blister card and 12 blister cards per carton).

7. Warnings and Precautions

Please see 3 Serious Warnings and Precautions Box.

General

If toxicity on therapy occurs, Sandoz Capecitabine should be interrupted until the event resolves, or the severity decreases when the following toxicities occur at a severity of grade 2 or greater: diarrhea, hand-foot syndrome, nausea, hyperbilirubinemia, vomiting or stomatitis (see 4 Dosage and Administration).

Patients and patients’ caregivers should be informed of the expected adverse effects of Sandoz Capecitabine, particularly of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and hand-and-foot syndrome and stomatitis. The frequent oral administration of Sandoz Capecitabine allows patient specific dose adaptations during therapy (see 4 Dosage and Administration). Most adverse reactions are reversible and do not require discontinuation, although doses may need to be withheld or reduced (see 4 Dosage and Administration). Patients should be taught to recognize and report the common grade 2 toxicities associated with Sandoz Capecitabine treatment (please refer to Patient Medication Information).

If Sandoz Capecitabine is prescribed in combination with docetaxel, patients and patients’ caregivers should be informed of the expected adverse effects of the combination of Sandoz Capecitabine and docetaxel (see Table 3).

Diarrhea: Patients experiencing grade 2 diarrhea (an increase of 4 to 6 stools/day or nocturnal stools) or greater should be instructed to stop taking Sandoz Capecitabine immediately. Standard antidiarrheal agents (e.g. loperamide) should be prescribed for symptom control (see 4 Dosage and Administration).

Nausea: Patients experiencing grade 2 nausea (food intake significantly decreased but able to eat intermittently) or greater should be instructed to stop taking Sandoz Capecitabine immediately. Standard anti-nausea agents should be prescribed for symptom control (see 4 Dosage and Administration).

Vomiting: Patients experiencing grade 2 vomiting (2 to 5 episodes in a 24-hour period) or greater should be instructed to stop taking Sandoz Capecitabine immediately. Standard anti-emetic agents should be prescribed for symptom control (see 4 Dosage and Administration).

Hand-and-Foot Syndrome: Patients experiencing grade 2 hand-and-foot syndrome (painful erythema and swelling of the hands and/or feet and/or discomfort affecting the patients’ activities of daily living) or greater should be instructed to stop taking Sandoz Capecitabine immediately.

Stomatitis: Patients experiencing grade 2 stomatitis or greater (painful erythema, edema or ulcers, but are able to eat) should be instructed to stop taking Sandoz Capecitabine immediately. Symptomatic treatment should be prescribed (see 4 Dosage and Administration).

Carcinogenesis and Genotoxicity

Although there was no evidence for oncogenic potential of capecitabine in a two-year carcinogenicity study in mice, capecitabine was clastogenic in vitro in human lymphocytes (similar to other nucleoside analogues such as 5-FU). There was also a positive trend in the in vivo mouse micronucleus assay (see 16 Non-Clinical Toxicology, Mutagenicityand Genotoxicity studies).

Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving treatment with Sandoz Capecitabine (see Special Populations below) and be provided with appropriate counselling if not currently using contraceptives. Males are advised not to father a child during treatment.

Cardiovascular

The spectrum of cardiotoxicity observed with capecitabine is similar to that of other fluorinated pyrimidines. This includes myocardial infarction, angina, dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, sudden death, cardiomyopathy, cardiac failure, and electrocardiographic changes. These adverse events may be more common in patients with a prior history of coronary artery disease. A thorough QT interval prolongation assessment study of capecitabine has not been conducted.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Sandoz Capecitabine has moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Patients should be advised to use caution when driving or using machines if they experience ADRs such as dizziness, fatigue, and or nausea during treatment with Sandoz Capecitabine.

Endocrine and Metabolism

Dehydration

Dehydration should be prevented or corrected at the onset. Patients with anorexia, asthenia, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea may rapidly become dehydrated. If Grade 2 (or higher) dehydration occurs, Sandoz Capecitabine treatment should be immediately interrupted and the dehydration corrected¹. Treatment should not be restarted until the patient is rehydrated and any precipitating causes have been corrected or controlled. Dose modifications applied should be applied for the precipitating adverse event as necessary (see 4. Dosage and Administration section).

Dehydration may cause acute renal failure, especially in patients with pre-existing compromised renal function or when capecitabine is given concomitantly with known nephrotoxic agents. Fatal outcome of renal failure has been reported in these situations (see 8. Adverse Reactions).

¹ NCIC grade 2 dehydration is defined as IV fluids indicated < 24 hours, grade 3 dehydration is defined as IV fluids indicated ≥ 24 hours, grade 4 dehydration is defined as life-threatening consequences (e.g. hemodynamic collapse), and grade 5 dehydration as death.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency

Patients with certain homozygous or certain compound heterozygous mutations in the DPYD gene locus that cause complete or near complete absence of DPD activity, are at the highest risk for severe, life-threatening, or fatal adverse reactions caused by fluorouracil. These patients should not be treated with Sandoz Capecitabine. No dose has been proven safe for patients with complete absence of DPD activity (see 2 Contraindications).

Patients with certain heterozygous DPYD variants (eg. DPYD*2A variant) that may cause partial DPD deficiency have been shown to have increased risk of severe toxicity when treated with capecitabine. For patients with partial DPD deficiency where the benefits of Sandoz Capecitabine are considered to outweigh the risks (taking into account the suitability of an alternative non-fluoropyrimidine chemotherapeutic regimen), these patients must be treated with extreme caution, initially with a substantial dose reduction and frequent subsequent monitoring and dose adjustment according to toxicity.

Testing for DPD deficiency should be performed prior to initiating Sandoz Capecitabine unless immediate treatment is necessary, based on the local availability and current guidelines.

In patients with unrecognised DPD deficiency treated with capecitabine as well as patients who test negative for specific DPYD variations, life-threatening toxicities manifesting as acute overdose may occur. In the event of grade 2-4 acute toxicity, treatment must be discontinued immediately. Permanent discontinuation should be considered based on clinical assessment of the onset, duration and severity of the observed toxicities (see 4 Dosage and Administration).

Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea

Sandoz Capecitabine very frequently induces diarrhea, which can sometimes be severe. Patients with severe diarrhea should be carefully monitored and, if they become dehydrated, should be given fluid and electrolyte replacement (see 7 Warnings and Precautions, Monitoring and Laboratory tests). If grade 2 (or higher) diarrhea occurs, administration of Sandoz Capecitabine should be immediately interrupted until diarrhea resolves or decreases in intensity to grade 1². Standard antidiarrheal agents (e.g. loperamide) should be initiated, as medically appropriate, as early as possible. Dose reduction should be applied as necessary (see 4 Dosage and Administration section). Necrotizing enterocolitis (typhlitis) has been reported.

Hematologic

In 251 patients with metastatic breast cancer who received capecitabine in combination with docetaxel, 68% had grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, 2.8% had grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia and 9.6% had grade 3 or 4 anemia.

² National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) grade 1 diarrhea is defined as an increase of < 4 stools per day over baseline, mild increase in ostomy output compared to baseline, grade 2 diarrhea is defined as an increase of 4 to 6 stools/day or nocturnal stools, grade 3 diarrhea as an increase of 7 to 9 stools/day or incontinence and malabsorption, grade 4 diarrhea as an increase of 10 stools/day or grossly bloody diarrhea or the need for parenteral support, and grade 5 diarrhea as death.

In 875 patients with either metastatic breast or colorectal cancer who received capecitabine monotherapy, 3.2%, 1.7%, and 2.4% of patients had grade 3/4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and decreases in hemoglobin, respectively.

Patients with baseline neutrophil counts of <1.5 x 10⁹/L and/or thrombocyte counts of <100 x 10⁹/L should not be treated with Sandoz Capecitabine (see 4 Dosage and Administration - Haematology).

Altered coagulation parameters and/or bleeding have been reported in patients taking capecitabine concomitantly with coumarin-derived anticoagulants such as warfarin. These events occurred within several days and up to several months after initiating capecitabine therapy, and, in a few cases, within one month after stopping capecitabine. These events occurred in patients with and without liver metastases (see 7 Warnings and Precautions, Monitoring and Laboratory Tests and 9 Drug Interactions: Coumarin Anticoagulants).

Hepatic/Biliary/Pancreatic

Hepatic Insufficiency

Patients with hepatic impairment should be carefully monitored when Sandoz Capecitabine is administered (see Monitoring and Laboratory Tests). However, the effect of hepatic impairment not due to liver metastases or of severe hepatic impairment on the disposition of capecitabine is not known.

Hyperbilirubinemia

In 251 patients with metastatic breast cancer who received a combination of capecitabine and docetaxel, grade 3 and 4 hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 6.8% (n=17) and 2% (n=5), respectively.

In 875 patients with either metastatic breast or colorectal cancer treated with capecitabine monotherapy, grade 3 hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 133 (15.2%) and grade 4 hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 34 (3.9%) patients with either metastatic breast or colorectal cancer. If drug related grade 2, 3 or 4 elevations in bilirubin occur, administration of Sandoz Capecitabine should be immediately interrupted until the hyperbilirubinemia resolves or decreases in intensity to grade 1. Following grade 3 or 4 hyperbilirubinemia, subsequent doses of Sandoz Capecitabine should be decreased (see 4 Dosage and Administration).

Immune

Sandoz Capecitabine can induce severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) (see 8 Adverse Reactions). Sandoz Capecitabine should be permanently discontinued in patients who experience a severe skin reaction possibly attributable to Sandoz Capecitabine treatment.

Rarely, unexpected and potentially fatal severe toxicities including neutropenia leading to local and fatal systemic infections following exposure to capecitabine have been observed.

Monitoring and Laboratory Tests

• Testing for DPD deficiency should be performed prior to initiating Sandoz Capecitabine unless immediate treatment is necessary, based on the local availability and current guidelines. (See 7

  • Warnings and Precautions, Endocrine and Metabolism, DPD deficiency)
• Patients taking coumarin-derivative anticoagulants concomitantly with Sandoz Capecitabine should be monitored regularly for alterations in their coagulation parameters (PT or INR) and the anticoagulant dose adjusted accordingly (see 9 Drug Interactions: Coumarin Anticoagulants).
• Careful monitoring of patients ≥60 years of age is advisable (see 7.1.4. Geriatrics).
• Patients with severe diarrhea should be monitored for symptoms of dehydration (see 7 Warnings and Precautions, Gastrointestinal and Endocrine and Metabolism)
• Patients with hepatic impairment or renal insufficiency should be carefully monitored when Sandoz Capecitabine is administered (see 7 Warnings and Precautions and 4 Dosage and Administration, Hepatic Impairment)
• Patients should be carefully monitored for toxicity (see 4 Dosage and Administration- Dose Modification Guidelines).
• Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior initiating Sandoz Capecitabine. (See . 7.1. Special Populations)
• Patients taking phenytoin concomitantly with Sandoz Capecitabine should be regularly monitored for increased phenytoin plasma concentrations. (See 9 Drug Interactions)

Neurologic

Very rare adverse drug reaction leukoencephalopathy has been identified during post-marketing exposure.

Renal

Renal Insufficiency

Physicians should exercise caution when Sandoz Capecitabine is administered to patients with impaired renal function. As seen with 5-FU, the incidence of treatment-related grade 3 or 4 adverse events was higher in patients with moderate renal impairment (calculated creatinine clearance 30-50 mL/min).

Reproductive Health: Female and Male Potential

• Fertility: Based on evidence from animal studies, capecitabine may impair fertility in females and males of reproductive potential (see 16 Non-Clinical Toxicology).
• Females: Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving treatment with Sandoz Capecitabine and be provided with appropriate counselling if not currently using contraceptives. An effective method of contraception should be used during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose of Sandoz Capecitabine. If the patient becomes pregnant while receiving Sandoz Capecitabine, the potential hazard to the fetus must be explained. Pregnancy testing is recommended for females of reproductive potential prior initiating Sandoz Capecitabine. (See 7 Warnings and Precautions, Monitoring and Laboratory tests)
• Males: Based on genetic toxicity findings, male patients with female partners of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months following the last dose of Sandoz Capecitabine.

Skin

Hand-and-Foot Syndrome

Hand-and-foot syndrome (palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia or chemotherapy induced acral erythema) can occur in patients receiving Sandoz Capecitabine either as monotherapy or in combination therapy. Persistent or severe hand-foot syndrome (grade 2 and above) can eventually lead to loss of fingerprints, which could impact patient identification. For patients receiving capecitabine monotherapy in the metastatic setting, median time to onset was 79 days (range from 11 to 360 days) with a severity range of grades 1 to 3^*. If grade 2 or 3 hand-and-foot syndrome occurs, administration of Sandoz Capecitabine should be interrupted until the event resolves or decreases in intensity to grade 1. Following grade 3 hand-and-foot syndrome, subsequent doses of Sandoz Capecitabine should be decreased (see 4. Dosage and Administration). For capecitabine in combination with docetaxel, hand-and-foot syndrome was more common in patients in the combination therapy arm than in the monotherapy arm (63% vs. 8%).

7.1. Special Populations

7.1.1. Pregnancy

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women using capecitabine. If the drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while receiving this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus (see Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis above). Capecitabine was found to be teratogenic and embryolethal in mice and embryolethal in monkeys (see 16. Non-Clinical Toxicology).

7.1.2. Breastfeeding

No studies have been conducted to assess the impact of capecitabine on milk production or its presence in human breast milk. In a study of single oral administration of capecitabine in lactating mice, it was found that a significant amount of the capecitabine metabolites is transferred to the milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, it is recommended that nursing be discontinued when receiving Sandoz Capecitabine therapy and for 2 weeks after the final dose

7.1.3. Pediatrics

Pediatrics (< 18 years of age): The safety and effectiveness of capecitabine in persons <18 years of age has not been established.

7.1.4. Geriatrics

Capecitabine in Combination with Docetaxel: An analysis of safety data in patients equal to or greater

^*Grade 1 hand-and-foot syndrome is defined by numbness, dysesthesia/paresthesia, tingling, or erythema of the hands and/or feet and/or discomfort which does not disrupt normal activities. Grade 2 hand-and-foot syndrome is defined as painful erythema and swelling of the hands and/or feet that results in discomfort affecting the patient’s activities of daily living and grade 3 hand-and-foot syndrome is defined as moist desquamation, ulceration, blistering or severe pain of the hands and/or feet that results in severe discomfort that causes the patient to be unable to work or perform activities of daily living.

than 60 years of age showed an increase in the incidence of treatment-related Grade 3 and 4 adverse events, treatment-related serious adverse events and early withdrawals from treatment due to adverse events compared to patients less than 60 years of age. The incidence of grade 3 or 4 stomatitis was greater in the 60 to 70 year old patient group (30%) than the general population (13%) (see 4 Dosage and Administration).

Capecitabine in Combination with Oxaliplatin: In the second-line setting, subgroup analyses for PFS (EP population) and OS (ITT population) for age suggest that XELOX may be less effective than FOLFOX-4 in patients ≥ 65 years of age (HR 1.32, 95% CI, 0.98-1.78 and HR 1.34, 95% CI, 1.00-1.80, respectively). Physicians are advised to assess risks and benefits in these patients.

In the second-line setting, an analysis of safety data in patients equal to or greater than 65 years of age showed an increase in the incidence of treatment related serious adverse events, treatment related Grade 3 and 4 adverse events, gastrointestinal grade 3/4 events (particularly diarrhea), and patients who discontinued trial treatment. In addition, deaths up to 60 days after treatment start and deaths up to 28 days after last dose were slightly higher in older patients (see 7 Warnings and Precautions, Monitoring and Laboratory Tests).

Capecitabine Monotherapy: Patients ≥ 80 years old may experience a greater incidence of gastrointestinal grade 3/4 events (see 4 Dosage and Administration).

8. Adverse Reactions

8.1. Adverse Reaction Overview

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) considered by the investigator to be possibly, probably, or remotely related to the administration of capecitabine have been obtained from clinical studies conducted with capecitabine monotherapy (in adjuvant therapy of colon cancer, in metastatic colorectal cancer and metastatic breast cancer), and clinical studies conducted with capecitabine in combination with docetaxel (metastatic breast cancer) or in combination with oxaliplatin (metastatic colorectal cancer).

8.2. Clinical Trial Adverse Reactions

Colorectal Cancer, Monotherapy

Adjuvant Colon Cancer

Safety data of capecitabine monotherapy were reported from one phase III trial in adjuvant colon cancer (995 patients treated with capecitabine and 974 treated with IV 5-FU/LV). The most frequently reported treatment related adverse events (≥ 10%) for capecitabine in this trial were gastrointestinal disorders, especially diarrhea, stomatitis, nausea, vomiting, hand-foot syndrome, fatigue and lethargy. The most frequent treatment-related undesirable effects (≥ 5%) reported in this trial are presented in the following table (Table 5).

Table 5 Summary of ADRs reported in ≥ 5% of patients with colon cancer treated with capecitabine monotherapy or IV 5-FU/LV in the adjuvant setting

^* Mayo Clinic regimen

^** Based on the post-marketing experience, persistent or severe palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (grade 2 and above) can eventually lead to loss of fingerprints (see 7 Warnings and Precautions).

8.3. Less Common Clinical Trial Adverse Reactions

Rare or uncommon clinically relevant adverse reactions reported in <5% of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin (second-line), that were considered at least remotely related to treatment are shown below. Occurrences of each grade 3 and 4 adverse event are provided in parentheses.

Blood & Lymphatic: febrile neutropenia (<1%), pancytopenia (<1%)

Cardiac: myocardial infarction (<1%)

Gastrointestinal: intestinal obstruction (2%)

Hepatobiliary: hepatic failure (<1%)

Nervous: peripheral motor neuropathy (<1%), encephalopathy (<1%)

Psychiatric: anxiety (<1%)

Renal & urinary: renal failure acute (<1%)

Respiratory: pulmonary embolism (<1%), laryngospasm (<1%), bronchospasm (<1%)

Vascular: thrombosis (<1%), deep vein thrombosis (<1%), embolism (<1%)

Breast Cancer, Capecitabine Monotherapy

The following data (Table 6) are for the study in stage IV breast cancer patients who received a dose of 2500 mg/m² administered daily for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period. The mean duration of treatment was 121 days. A total of 71 patients (13%) discontinued treatment because of adverse events/inter-current illness.

Table 6 Capecitabine Monotherapy: Percent Incidence of Adverse Reactions in ≥5% of Patients Participating in the Phase II Trial in Stage IV Breast Cancer

^* Based on the post-marketing experience, persistent or severe palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (grade 2 and above) can eventually lead to loss of fingerprints (see 7 Warnings and Precautions).

Locally advanced and/or Metastatic Breast Cancer, Combination with Docetaxel

The following data (Table 7) are for the combination study with capecitabine and docetaxel in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer. In the capecitabine –docetaxel combination arm, the treatment was capecitabine administered orally 1250 mg/m² twice daily as intermittent therapy (2 weeks of treatment followed by one week without treatment) for at least 6 weeks and docetaxel administered as a 1 hour intravenous infusion at a dose of 75 mg/m² on the first day of each 3 week cycle for at least 6 weeks. In the monotherapy arm, docetaxel was administered as a 1 hour intravenous infusion at a dose of 100 mg/m² on the first day of each 3 week cycle for at least 6 weeks. The mean duration of treatment was 129 days in the combination arm and 98 days in the monotherapy arm. A total of 66 patients (26%) in the combination arm and 49 (19%) in the monotherapy arm withdrew from the study because of adverse events. The percentage of patients requiring dose reductions due to adverse events were 65% in the combination arm and 36% in the monotherapy arm. The hospitalization rate for treatment-related adverse events was 28.7% in the combination arm and 26.3% in the monotherapy arm.

Table 7 Per Cent Incidence of Adverse Reactions in ≥5% of Patients Participating in the Combination Study of Capecitabine and Docetaxel in Metastatic Breast Cancer

• Not observed or applicable.

^* Excluding vertigo

Listed below by body system are the adverse events in <5% of patients in the overall clinical trial safety database of 251 patients reported as related to the administration of capecitabine in combination with docetaxel and that were clinically at least remotely relevant. In parentheses is the incidence of grade 3 and 4 occurrences of each adverse event.

Gastrointestinal: hemorrhoids (0.39), ileus (0.39), necrotizing enterocolitis (0.39), esophageal ulcer (0.39), hemorrhagic diarrhea (0.80)

General: rigors (0.39), injection site infection (0.39), neuralgia (0.39)

Neurological: ataxia (0.39), syncope (1.20), taste loss (0.80), polyneuropathy (0.39), migraine (0.39)

Cardiac: supraventricular tachycardia (0.39)

Infection: neutropenic sepsis (2.39), lower respiratory tract infection NOS (0.39), pharyngitis (0.39), otitis media (0.39), sepsis (0.39), bronchopneumonia (0.39)

Blood and Lymphatic: agranulocytosis (0.39), prothrombin decreased (0.39)

Vascular: hypotension (1.20), venous phlebitis & thrombophlebitis (0.39), blood pressure increase (0.39), postural hypotension (0.80)

Renal: renal failure (0.39)

Hepatobiliary: jaundice (0.39), abnormal liver function tests (0.39), hepatic failure (0.39), hepatic coma (0.39), hepatotoxicity (0.39)

Immune System: hypersensitivity (1.20)

Capecitabine Monotherapy Metastatic Breast and Colorectal Cancer

Listed below by body system are the clinical adverse events in < 5% of 875 patients (phase III colorectal studies - 596 patients, phase II colorectal study - 34 patients, phase II breast cancer monotherapy studies - 245 patients) reported as related to the administration of capecitabine and that were clinically at least remotely relevant.

In parentheses is the incidence of grade 3 or 4 occurrences of each adverse event.

Gastrointestinal: abdominal distension, esophagitis (0.2), intestinal obstruction (0.3), dysphagia, proctalgia, hemorrhoids, fecal abnormality, tongue disorder, ascites (0.1), gastric ulcer (0.1), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (0.2), ileus (0.3), incisional hernia, rectal disorder, swallowing painful, toxic dilation of intestine, melena, gastroenteritis (0.1), flatulence, gastritis, duodenitis, colitis

Skin and Subcutaneous: nail disorder (0.1), sweating increased (0.1), face edema, photosensitivity reaction (0.1), urticaria, skin ulcer, genital pruritus, skin lesion, ecchymoses, hyperkeratosis, intertrigo, leg ulcer (excluding varicose), localized skin reaction, red face, rosacea, scab, foot ulcer (0.1), dry skin (<0.01), localized exfoliation, skin hyperpigmentation, skin fissures (< 0.02).

General: shivering, chest pain (0.2), influenza-like illness, hot flushes, palmar erythema, hiccups, pain (0.1), hoarseness, fluid retention, irritability, difficulty in walking, thirst, chest mass, collapse, fibrosis (0.1), hemorrhage, neck edema, sedation, sudden death unexplained (0.1), swelling, ulcer (0.1)

Neurological: insomnia, ataxia (0.5), sedation, syncope (0.1), tremor, dysphasia, encephalopathy (0.1), coordination abnormal, dysarthria, facial palsy, loss of consciousness (0.2), mental impairment, myoclonic jerks, peroneal nerve palsy (0.1), headache (0.5)

Metabolism: weight increase, malnutrition (0.2), appetite increased, food intolerance (0.1), hypertriglyceridemia (0.1), hypokalemia, diabetes control impaired (0.1), hypomagnesemia

Eye: vision abnormal, cataract

Respiratory: cough (0.1), epistaxis (0.1), sore throat, chest tightness, rhinitis, increased sputum production, bronchospasm (0.2), hemoptysis, nasal ulcer, pneumothorax, crackles, orthopnea, pharyngeal disorder, pleural disorder, respiratory distress (0.1), sneezing

Cardiac: tachycardia (0.1), bradycardia, arrhythmia, chest pain (cardiac) (0.2), atrial fibrillation, cardiac failure, cardiomyopathy, extrasystoles, myocardial infarction (0.1), myocarditis (0.1), pericardial effusion

Infection: herpes simplex, upper respiratory tract infection (0.1), urinary tract infection (0.2), localized infection, sepsis (0.3), bronchitis (0.1), lower respiratory tract infection, cellulitis, fungal infection (0.3), pneumonia (0.1), bronchopneumonia (0.1), herpes zoster, infection (0.1), influenza, keratoconjunctivitis, laryngitis (0.1), superinfection, immune system compromise, and/or disruption of mucous membranes, such as local and fatal systemic infections (including bacterial, viral, fungal etiologies) and sepsis

Musculoskeletal: myalgia, back pain, arthralgia (0.1), bone pain (0.1), neck pain, arthritis (0.1), calcaneal spur, muscle weakness

Blood and Lymphatic: leucopenia (0.2), coagulation disorder (0.1), bone marrow depression (0.1), idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (1.0), pancytopenia (0.1)

Vascular: hypotension (0.2), hypertension (0.1), flushing, lymphoedema (0.1), hematoma, pulmonary embolism (0.2), cerebrovascular accident (0.1), transient ischemic attack, varicose veins, venous thrombosis (0.8)

Psychiatric: depression, confusion (0.1), amnesia, libido decreased, loss of confidence, mood alteration, personality change, psychogenic disorder

Renal: dysuria, urinary incontinence, hematuria, hydronephrosis (0.1), nocturia (0.1), urinary tract disorder, urine discolouration, polyuria, renal impairment (0.1), urinary retention

Reproductive System: intermenstrual bleeding, balanoposthitis, vaginal pain, nipple disorder, premenstrual tension syndrome

Ear: vertigo, earache, deafness, sensation of block in ear

Hepatobiliary: jaundice (0.3), hepatomegaly, hepatic pain, fatty liver, bile duct stone (0.1), hepatic fibrosis (0.1), hepatitis (0.1), hepatic cholestatic (0.1)

Injury and Poisoning: radiation recall syndrome (0.1), bruising, overdose, scratch

Surgical: paronychia drainage, postoperative complications, wound drainage increased

Immune System: food allergy, hypersensitivity (0.1)

Endocrine: cushingoid, hypothyroidism, hirsutism

Neoplasms: lipoma, solar keratosis (0.1)

The following table (Table 8) displays laboratory abnormalities observed in 949 patients, regardless of relationship to treatment with capecitabine in metastatic breast and colorectal cancer.

Table 8 Laboratory Abnormalities^a: Capecitabine Monotherapy in Metastatic Breast and Colorectal Cancer.

^a Laboratory abnormalities were graded according to the categories of the NCIC CTC Grading System.

Adverse Events Occurring in Special Patient Populations in Clinical Trials with Capecitabine Monotherapy in the Metastatic Setting

Geriatrics: Among the 21 patients (80 years of age and greater) with either metastatic breast or colorectal cancer who received capecitabine monotherapy (N=875), 6 (28.6%), 3 (14.3%), and 2 (9.5%) patients experienced reversible grade 3/4 diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, respectively. Among the 496 patients aged 60 to 79 years old, the incidence of gastrointestinal toxicity was similar to that in the overall population. Patients 70 to 79 years old (22%) had a higher incidence of hand-and-foot syndrome.

Hyperbilirubinemia: In 875 patients with either metastatic breast or colorectal cancer who received at least one dose of capecitabine 2500 mg/m² daily for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period, grade 3 hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 133 (15.2%) and grade 4 hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 34 (3.9%) patients. Grade 3/4 hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 22.8% of the 566 patients with hepatic metastases and in 12.3% of the 309 patients without hepatic metastases at baseline. Of the 167 patients with grade 3 or 4 hyperbilirubinemia, 31 (18.6%) also had post-baseline elevations (grades 1 to 4, without elevations at baseline) in alkaline phosphatase and 46 (27.5%) had post-baseline elevations in transaminases at any time (not necessarily concurrent). The majority of these patients, 20 (64.5%) and 33 (71.7%), had liver metastases at baseline. In addition, 96 (57.5%) and 59 (35.3%) of the 167 patients had elevations (grades 1 to 4) at both pre- and post-baseline in alkaline phosphatase or transaminases, respectively. Only 13 (7.8%) and 5 (3.0%) had grade 3 or 4 elevations in alkaline phosphatase or transaminases.

8.4. Abnormal Laboratory Findings: Hematologic, Clinical Chemistry and Other Quantitative Data

The following table (Table 9) displays laboratory abnormalities observed in 995 patients, regardless of relationship to treatment, with capecitabine in the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer.

Table 9 Laboratory Abnormalities ^a: capecitabine monotherapy in adjuvant colon cancer

^* The incidence of grade 3/4 white blood cell abnormalities was 1.3% in the capecitabine arm and 4.9% in the IV 5-FU/LV arm.

^a Laboratory abnormalities were graded according to the categories of the NCIC CTC Grading System.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Presented in the following table (Table 10) are the most frequent adverse reactions (≥5%) with intensity reported as related (remotely, possibly or probably) to the administration of capecitabine or 5-FU/leucovorin (LV). Rates are rounded to the nearest whole number. The data shown are from pooled phase III metastatic colorectal cancer trials, in which a total of 605 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were treated with 2500 mg/m²/day of capecitabine administered for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period and 604 patients were administered 5-FU and leucovorin in the Mayo regimen (20 mg/m² leucovorin IV followed by 425 mg/m² IV bolus 5-FU, on days 1 to 5, every 28 days. The adverse event profile of 5-FU/LV in this study was consistent with the published literature. In the pooled colorectal database the median duration of treatment was 139 days for capecitabine treated patients and 140 days for 5-FU/LV treated patients. A total of 78 (13%) and 63 (11%) capecitabine and 5-FU/LV-treated patients, respectively, discontinued treatment because of adverse event/inter-current illness.

Table 10 Pooled Phase III Metastatic Colorectal Trials of capecitabine monotherapy vs. 5-FU/LV: Percent Incidence of Adverse Reactions in ≥5% of Patients

• Not observed or applicable.

^* Excluding vertigo

^** Based on the post-marketing experience, persistent or severe palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (grade 2 and above) can eventually lead to loss of fingerprints (see 7 Warnings and Precautions).

In the pooled phase III metastatic colorectal studies, dose reductions occurred in 34% of patients treated with capecitabine and in 42% with 5-FU. Dose reductions also occurred later with capecitabine than 5-FU/LV (median time to dose reduction was 76 and 36 days, respectively).

The hospitalization rate for the treatment-related adverse events was 11.6% for capecitabine treated patients and 18.0% for 5-FU/LV-treated patients. The predominant treatment-related adverse events leading to hospitalization in capecitabine and 5-FU/LV-treated patients, respectively, were diarrhea (4.2% vs. 3.7%), dehydration (2.2% vs. 1.5%), and stomatitis (0.2% vs. 3.7%).

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, Combination Therapy

Capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin

The following table (Table 11) shows the most frequent ADRs (≥ 5%) reported in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who received second-line (Study NO16967) treatment with capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin (XELOX). The intensity of adverse events was graded according to the toxicity categories of the NCI CTCAE Grading System Version 3.0.

Table 11 Summary of ADRs in ≥5% of patients who received second-line treatment with capecitabine and oxaliplatin for metastatic colorectal cancer (Study NO16967)

^a XELOX: capecitabine (1000 mg/m² twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 7-day rest period) and oxaliplatin (130 mg/m² as a 2-hour infusion on day 1 every three weeks).

^b FOLFOX-4: leucovorin (200 mg/m² as a 2-hour infusion on days 1 and 2 every two weeks), 5-FU (400 mg/m² as a bolus injection, 600 mg/m² as a 22 hour infusion on days 1 and 2 every two weeks), and oxaliplatin (85 mg/m² as a 2 hour infusion on day 1 every two weeks).

8.5. Post-Market Adverse Reactions

The following additional adverse events have been identified during post-marketing use of capecitabine. Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to capecitabine exposure.

Table 12 Adverse Drug Reactions Reported in the Post Marketing Setting

Exposure to crushed or cut capecitabine tablets

In the instance of exposure to crushed or cut capecitabine tablets, the following ADRs have been reported: eye irritation, eye swelling, skin rash, headache, paresthesia, diarrhea, nausea, gastric irritation, and vomiting.

9. Drug Interactions

9.4. Drug-Drug Interactions

Sorivudine and analogues: A clinically significant drug-drug interaction between sorivudine and 5-FU, resulting from the inhibition of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase by sorivudine, has been described. This interaction, which leads to increased fluoropyrimidine toxicity, is potentially fatal. Therefore, capecitabine must not be administered concomitantly with sorivudine or its chemically related analogues, such as brivudine. There must be at least a 4-week waiting period between end of treatment with sorivudine or its chemically related analogues such as brivudine and start of Sandoz Capecitabine therapy.

Phenytoin and Fosphenytoin: Increased phenytoin plasma concentrations have been reported during concomitant use of capecitabine with phenytoin, suggesting a potential interaction. Formal drug-drug interactions studies with phenytoin have not been conducted, but the mechanism of interaction is presumed to be inhibition of the CYP 2C9 isoenzyme system by capecitabine (see subsection below, Cytochrome P450 2C9 Substrates). Patients taking phenytoin or fosphenytoin concomitantly with Sandoz Capecitabine should be regularly monitored for increased phenytoin plasma concentrations and associated clinical symptoms.

Coumarin anticoagulants: Altered coagulation parameters and/or bleeding have been reported in patients taking capecitabine concomitantly with coumarin-derivative anticoagulants such as warfarin and phenprocoumon. These events occurred within several days and up to several months after initiating capecitabine therapy and, in a few cases, within one month after stopping capecitabine. In a drug interaction study with single-dose warfarin administration, there was a significant increase in the mean AUC (+57%) of S-warfarin. These results suggest an interaction, probably due to an inhibition of the cytochrome P450 2C9 isoenzyme system by capecitabine. In a clinical interaction study, after a single 20 mg dose of warfarin, capecitabine treatment increased the AUC of S-warfarin by 57% with a 91% increase in INR value. Patients taking coumarin-derivative anticoagulants concomitantly with Sandoz Capecitabine should be monitored regularly for alterations in their coagulation parameters (PT or INR) and the anticoagulant dose adjusted accordingly.

Cytochrome P450 2C9 Substrates: No formal drug-drug interaction studies with capecitabine and other drugs known to be metabolized bythe cytochrome P450 2C9 isoenzyme have been conducted. Care should be exercised when Sandoz Capecitabine is co-administered with these drugs, which are metabolized by cytochrome P450 2C9 such as for example warfarin or phenytoin. Patients receiving concomitant Sandoz Capecitabine and oral coumarin-derivative anticoagulant therapy should have their anticoagulant response (INR or prothrombin time) monitored closely and the anticoagulant dose adjusted accordingly. Patients taking phenytoin concomitantly with Sandoz Capecitabine should be regularly monitored for increased phenytoin plasma concentrations.

Antacid: The effect of an aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide-containing antacid (Maalox^®) on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine was investigated in 12 cancer patients. There was a small increase in plasma concentrations of capecitabine and one metabolite (5’DFCR); there was no effect on the 3 major metabolites (5’DFUR, 5-FU and FBAL).

Leucovorin: A phase I study evaluating the effect of leucovorin on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine was conducted in 22 cancer patients. Leucovorin has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine and its metabolites; however, the toxicity of capecitabine may be enhanced by leucovorin.

Oxaliplatin: No clinically significant differences in exposure to capecitabine or its metabolites, free platinum or total platinum occurred when capecitabine and oxaliplatin were administered in combination.

9.5. Drug-Food Interactions

The effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine was investigated in 11 cancer patients. The rate and extent of absorption of capecitabine is decreased when administered with food. The effect on AUC_{0- ∞} of the 3 main metabolites in plasma (5’DFUR, 5-FU, FBAL) is minor. In all clinical trials, patients were instructed to take capecitabine within 30 minutes after a meal. Therefore, since current safety and efficacy data are based upon administration with food, it is recommended Sandoz Capecitabine be administered with food.

10. Clinical Pharmacology

10.1. Mechanism of Action

Capecitabine is a tumour- activated antineoplastic agent (antimetabolite) belonging to the novel fluoropyrimidine carbamate class. It was rationally designed as an orally administered precursor of 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR). Capecitabine is selectively activated to the cytotoxic moiety, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), by thymidine phosphorylase in tumours.

Within normal and tumour cells, 5-FU is further metabolized to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine monophosphate (FdUMP) and 5-fluorouridine triphosphate (FUTP) which cause cell injury by both DNA and RNA-derived mechanisms. (see the Detailed Pharmacology section for more information).

Bioactivation: Capecitabine is absorbed unchanged from the gastrointestinal tract, metabolized primarily in the liver by the 60kDa carboxylesterase to 5’-Deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (5’-DFCR) which is then converted to 5’-DFUR by cytidine deaminase, principally located in the liver and tumour tissue. Further metabolism of 5’-DFUR to the pharmacologically-active agent 5-FU occurs mainly at the site of the tumour by thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase), which has levels considerably higher in tumour tissues compared to normal tissues (see the following figure for the metabolic pathway of capecitabine). Healthy liver tissues also contain a relatively high activity of dThdPase. In human cancer xenograft models, capecitabine demonstrated a synergistic effect in combination with docetaxel which may be related to the upregulation of thymidine phosphorylase by docetaxel.

10.3. Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetic Parameters: Table 13 below shows the pharmacokinetic parameters of capecitabine, 5’-DFCR, 5’-DFUR and 5-FU in plasma at steady-state (day 14) following administration of the recommended dose (1255 mg/m² b.i.d.) in 8 cancer patients. The peak of plasma concentrations of intact drug, 5’-DFCR, 5’-DFUR and 5-FU is reached rapidly and then concentrations decline with a short half-life for all species.

Table 13 Descriptive Statistics on the Pharmacokinetic Parameters Estimated on Day 14 after Administration of Capecitabine (1255 mg/m²) in 8 Cancer Patients

Geometric means (CV) are reported for C_max, AUC_0-t and AUC_0-∞. Median values (min-max) are reported for t_max. Arithmetic means (CV) are reported for t_1/2.

After oral administration, plasma data indicate an extensive and rapid conversion to the first two metabolites in plasma, 5'-DFCR and 5'-DFUR. The peak plasma concentrations for the drug and its two first metabolites occurs shortly (median t_max of 1.50 to 2.0 h) after capecitabine administration.

Concentrations then decline exponentially with half-lives of 0.85 h (arithmetic mean), 1.11 h and 0.66 h for intact drug, 5’-DFCR and 5’-DFUR, respectively. Following administration of 1255 mg/m², a high AUC_{0- ∞} is obtained for 5'-DFUR (geometric mean =

21.7 mcg•h/mL, CV = 63%, n = 8). On day 14, the systemic exposure (AUC) to 5-FU is approximately 13 times lower than the systemic exposure to 5’-DFUR.

In plasma, the peak of FBAL concentration occurred approximately 3 h after drug intake. The decline in FBAL concentration is characterized by a half-life of 3.23 ± 1.29 h. Plasma concentrations of FBAL are high (1.6 times those of 5’-DFUR and 22 times those of 5-FU), which probably reflects the extensive formation of 5-FU in the tumour and other tissues.

Absorption

Capecitabine reached peak blood levels in about 1.5 hours (T_max) with peak 5-FU blood levels occurring slightly later, at 2 hours. Administration with food decreases the rate of capecitabine absorption but only results in a minor decrease in the AUC’s of 5'-DFUR and 5-FU (see 7 Warnings and Precautions and 4 Dosage and Administration).

Distribution

Plasma protein binding of capecitabine and its metabolites is low (less than 60%) and is not concentration dependent. Capecitabine was primarily bound to human albumin (approximately 35%).

Metabolism

Capecitabine is extensively metabolized to 5-FU. The enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase hydrogenates 5-FU, the product of capecitabine metabolism, to the much less toxic, 5-fluoro-5,6-dihydro-fluorouracil (FUH₂). Dihydropyrimidinase cleaves the pyrimidine ring to yield 5-fluoro-ureido-propionic acid (FUPA). Finally, β-ureidopropionase cleaves FUPA to α-fluoro-β-alanine (FBAL) which is cleared in the urine.

Elimination

Over 70% of the administered capecitabine dose is recovered in urine as drug-related material, about 50% of it as FBAL.

Phase I studies evaluating the effect of capecitabine on the pharmacokinetics of either docetaxel or paclitaxel and vice versa showed no effect by capecitabine on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel or paclitaxel (C_max and AUC) and no effect by docetaxel or paclitaxel on the pharmacokinetics of 5’-DFUR (the most important metabolite of capecitabine).

Pharmacokinetics in Colorectal Tumours and Adjacent Healthy Tissue: Following oral administration of capecitabine (1255 mg/m² b.i.d. 5 to 7 days) in patients with colorectal cancer, concentrations of 5-FU were significantly greater in primary tumour than in adjacent healthy tissue (geometric mean ratio 2.5; CI:1.5 to 4.1) and in plasma (geometric mean ratio 14).

Special Populations and Conditions

A population pharmacokinetic analysis was carried out after capecitabine treatment of 505 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer dosed at 2500 mg/m²/day. Gender, race, presence or absence of liver metastasis at baseline, Karnofsky Performance Status, total bilirubin, serum albumin, ASAT and ALAT had no statistically-significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of 5'-DFUR, 5-FU and FBAL.

• Geriatrics: Based on the population pharmacokinetic analysis which included patients with a wide range of ages (27 to 86 years) and included 234 (46%) patients greater or equal to 65, age has no influence on the pharmacokinetics of 5'-DFUR and 5-FU. The AUC of FBAL increased with age (20% increase in age results in a 15% increase in the AUC of FBAL). This increase is likely due to a change in renal function (see 10 Clinical Pharmacology, Renal Insufficiency). However, the elderly may be pharmacodynamically more sensitive to the toxic effects of 5-FU (see 7.1.4. Geriatrics and 4 Dosage and Administration).
• Sex: Based on population pharmacokinetic analysis including 202 females (40%) and 303 males (60%), gender has no influence on the pharmacokinetics of 5'-DFUR, 5-FU and FBAL.
• Ethnic Origin: Based on population pharmacokinetic analysis of 455 white patients (90.1%), 22 black patients (4.4%) and 28 patients of other race or ethnicity (5.5%), the pharmacokinetics of black patients were not different compared to white patients. For the other minority groups the numbers were too small to draw a conclusion.
• Hepatic Insufficiency: Capecitabine has been evaluated in patients with mild to moderate hepatic dysfunction due to liver metastases. Both C_max and AUC _{0- ∞} of capecitabine, 5’-DFUR and 5-FU were increased by 49%, 33% and 28% and by 48%, 20% and 15%, respectively. Conversely, C_max and AUC of 5’-DFCR decreased by 29% and 35%, respectively. Therefore, bioactivation of capecitabine is not affected. There are no pharmacokinetic data on patients with severe hepatic impairment (see 7 Warnings and Precautions and 4 Dosage and Administration).

• Renal Insufficiency: Based on a pharmacokinetic study in cancer patients with mild to severe renal impairment, there is no evidence for an effect of creatinine clearance on the pharmacokinetics of intact drug and 5-FU. Creatinine clearance was found to influence the systemic exposure to 5'-DFUR (35% increase in AUC when creatinine clearance decreases by 50%) and to FBAL (114% increase in AUC when creatinine clearance decreases by 50%). FBAL is a metabolite without antiproliferative activity; 5’-DFUR is the direct precursor of 5-FU.

  As seen with 5-FU, the incidence of related grade 3 or 4 adverse events is higher in patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30-50 mL/min) (see 2 Contraindications, 7 Warnings and Precautions and 4 Dosage and Administration).

For more detailed information on the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine, please refer to the 14.3 Comparative Bioavailability Studies, Detailed Pharmacology.

11. Storage, Stability and Disposal

Sandoz Capecitabine tablets should be stored at 15 ºC to 30 ºC and in the original package.

12. Special Handling Instructions

Disposal of unused/expired medicines

The release of pharmaceuticals in the environment should be minimized. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater and disposal through household waste should be avoided. Use established “collection systems”, if available in your location.

Special handling using appropriate equipment and disposal procedures, should be taken as Sandoz Capecitabine is a cytotoxic drug. Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements

Part 2: Scientific Information

13. Pharmaceutical Information

Drug Substance

Non-proprietary name of the drug substance(s): capecitabine

Chemical name: 5'-Deoxy-5-fluoro-N-[(pentyloxy)carbonyl]-cytidine

Molecular formula and molecular mass: C₁₅H₂₂FN₃O₆; 359.35 g/mol

Structural formula:

Physicochemical properties:

Physical Form: A white to off-white crystalline powder

Solubility: Water 2.6g/100 mL

pKa: 8.8 (in water and titrated with 0.1 N KOH with bubbling N₂)

Partition co-efficient: octanol/buffer: log P =4.4-0.98 (range for pH 5.0-9.5)

Melting Point: 120°C with decomposition

14. Clinical Trials

14.1. Clinical Trials by Indication

In a phase I study with capecitabine, the maximum-tolerated dose as a single agent in the treatment of patients with solid tumours was 3000 mg/m² when administered daily for 2 weeks, followed by a 1-week rest period. The dose-limiting toxicities were diarrhea and leucopenia.

Colorectal Carcinoma:

Adjuvant Colon Cancer

Data from one open-label, multicenter, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority, phase III clinical trial in patients with stage III (Dukes C) colon cancer supports the use of capecitabine for the adjuvant treatment of patients with stage III colon cancer (X-ACT Study: M66001). In this trial, 1987 patients were randomized to treatment with monotherapy capecitabine (1250 mg/m² twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period and given as 3-week cycles for 24 weeks) (N=1004) or 5-FU and leucovorin (Mayo regimen: 20 mg/m² leucovorin IV followed by 425 mg/m² IV bolus 5-FU, on days 1 to 5, every 28 days for 24 weeks) (N=983). Although this trial used bolus 5-FU in the control arm, infusional 5-FU has been shown to be superior to bolus 5-FU.

The primary efficacy endpoint was disease-free survival. The original conditional approval was based on primary analysis at a median follow-up time of 3.8 years which showed capecitabine was at least equivalent to IV 5-FU/LV in disease-free survival (p=0.0001, non-inferiority margin 1.2) with a trend towards superiority in disease-free survival. The full approval was based on an updated analysis at a median follow-up time of 6.9 years which confirmed capecitabine to be at least equivalent to 5-FU/LV in disease-free survival although there was no longer a trend toward superiority in disease-free survival (p=0.06). A summary of the results is provided in Table 14. Compared with 5-FU/LV, capecitabine was associated with lower incidence of stomatitis, neutropenia and febrile neutropenia but with a considerably higher incidence of hand-and-foot syndrome and hyperbilirubinemia in the adjuvant treatment of patients with Dukes Stage C colon cancer.

Figure 1: Kaplan-Meier Estimates of Disease-free Survival (All Randomized Population)

Table 14 Efficacy of Capecitabine vs 5-FU/LV in Adjuvant Treatment of stage III (Dukes Stage C) Colon Cancer

^a N1- tumor in 1-3 regional lymph nodes; N2- tumor in ≥ 4 regional lymph nodes

^b Capecitabine versus 5-FU/LV; Non-inferiority margin of 1.20 corresponds to the retention by capecitabine of approx. 75% of the 5-FU/LV effect on DFS

^c Wald chi square test for differences of capecitabine versus 5-FU/LV

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Data from two multicenter, randomized, controlled phase III clinical trials involving 603 patients and one randomized phase II trial of 34 patients support the use of capecitabine in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (refer to Table 15).

Table 15 Clinical Studies In Metastatic Colorectal Carcinoma - Monotherapy

^* 20 mg/m² leucovorin I.V. followed by 425 mg/m² I.V. bolus 5-FU on days 1 to 5, every 28 days.

Capecitabine was superior to 5-FU/LV for objective response rate in Study 1 and Study 2. The response rate observed in patients receiving the Mayo regimen was consistent with the published literature. It was also observed that in patients who received prior adjuvant chemotherapy the objective response rate was 15.3% and 14.5% for capecitabine and 5.5% and 4.4% (Study 1 and 2, respectively) for 5-FU/LV. There was no difference in time to disease progression and survival as compared to 5-FU/LV for both studies.

Combination therapy – Second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Data from a multicenter, randomized, controlled phase III clinical study (NO16967) support the use of capecitabine in combination with oxaliplatin for the second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. In this trial, 627 patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma who have received prior treatment with irinotecan in combination with a fluoropyrimidine regimen as first-line therapy were randomized to treatment with XELOX or FOLFOX-4. For the dosing schedule of capecitabine and FOLFOX-4, refer to Table 16 below.

Table 16 Treatment regimens in Study NO16967

5-Fluorouracil: IV bolus injection immediately after leucovorin

XELOX is at least equivalent to FOLFOX-4 in terms of progression-free survival in the per- protocol population and intent-to-treat population in the investigator assessments. Progression-free survival by the IRC assessment also met the NI margin of 1.23 (HR = 0.93; 95% CI [0.74; 1.17]). Exploratory subgroup analyses for PFS (EP population) and OS (ITT population) for age suggest that XELOX may be less effective than FOLFOX-4 in patients ≥ 65 years of age (HR 1.32, 95% CI, 0.98-1.78 and HR 1.34, 95% CI, 1.00-1.80, respectively).

No quality of life data was collected. The median follow up at the time of the primary analyses in the intent-to-treat population was 2.1 years; data from analyses following an additional 6 months of follow up are also included in the table below.

Table 17 Key non-inferiority efficacy results for the primary analysis and 6-month follow-up data (PPP and ITT populations, Study NO16967)

^* PFS by IRC assessment (PPP) met the NI margin of 1.23 (HR = 0.93; 95% CI [0.74; 1.17])

Breast Carcinoma:

Capecitabine has been evaluated in breast cancer clinical trials in combination with docetaxel and as monotherapy. Table 18 summarizes data from a pivotal combination trial as well as from one pivotal and two supportive monotherapy phase II clinical trials.

Capecitabine in Combination with Docetaxel: The dose of capecitabine used in combination with docetaxel in the phase III clinical trial was based on the results of a phase I study, where a range of doses of docetaxel given every 3 weeks in combination with an intermittent regimen of capecitabine were evaluated. The combination dose regimen was selected based on the tolerability profile of the 75 mg/m² every 3 weeks of docetaxel in combination with 1250 mg/m² twice daily for 14 days of capecitabine administered every 3 weeks. The approved dose of 100 mg/m² of docetaxel administered every 3 weeks was the control arm of the phase III study.

As shown in Table 18, capecitabine in combination with docetaxel resulted in statistically significant improvement in time to disease progression, overall survival and objective response rate compared to monotherapy with docetaxel.

Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 2) and Breast Cancer Module of the EORTC (BR23). HRQoL was similar in the two treatment groups. Approximately 11% of patients in the combination arm and 10% in the monotherapy arm did not complete a quality of life questionnaire at least once either at baseline or during the treatment phase.

Table 18 Clinical Studies in Breast Carcinoma

14.2. Comparative Bioavailability Studies

A comparative, randomized, single-dose, crossover bioavailability study of Sandoz Capecitabine (capecitabine) 500 mg tablets (Sandoz Canada Inc.) and Xeloda^® (capecitabine) 500 mg tablets (Roche Registration Limited UK) in one hundred (100) patient subjects (55 male and 45 female; between the ages of 35 and 80 years old), was conducted under fed conditions. The test and reference products were administered as 3 x 500 mg doses. A summary of the bioavailability data is presented in the table below.

^* Sandoz Capecitabine 500 mg tablets (manufactured for Sandoz Canada Inc.)

^{† Pr}Xeloda^® (capecitabine) 500 mg tablets (Roche Registration Limited, UK) were purchased in Germany.

^§ Expressed as the median (range) only

^€ Expressed as the arithmetic mean (CV %) only

Detailed Pharmacology

Animal Pharmacology

Capecitabine administration of doses up to 300 mg/kg (PO) in mice and rats and up to 30 mg/kg (IV) in anesthetized dogs, produced no biologically significant pharmacodynamic effects on the mammalian nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. At the highest doses [1,000 mg/kg (PO) in mice and rats and 100 mg/kg (PO) in dogs], capecitabine caused minimal changes in some of the above parameters. In anaesthetized cynomolgus monkeys, capecitabine infused IV at 10 and 30 mg/kg did not affect the parameters relating to cardiovascular and respiratory function. At 100 mg/kg (IV), it caused slight and transient hypotension and suppressed cardiac function. These effects were not considered critical.

Metabolic Conversion of Capecitabine in Animals: The cynomolgus monkey is the most predictive model of the toxicity that may occur in humans as the activity and distribution of the metabolizing enzymes carboxylesterase and cytidine deaminase are similar in this species to those seen in humans. In the mouse, as in humans and monkeys, conversion of the parent drug occurs via 5'-DFCR to 5'-DFUR. However, the efficiency of this conversion is less than that of the monkey. In contrast to monkey and mouse, the rat has minimal cytidine deaminase activity in major organs. Therefore, in the latter species, capecitabine is metabolized to 5'-DFCR; however, its subsequent conversion to 5'-DFUR is poor. The low

activity of cytidine deaminase in the rat, which results in high plasma levels of 5'-DFCR relative to monkey and man, allowed the toxicity of 5'-DFCR to be investigated. For these reasons, the teratology and reproductive toxicity studies were conducted in the mouse and the monkey.

Mechanism of Action: 5-FU is further metabolized to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine monophosphate (FdUMP) and 5-fluorouridine triphosphate (FUTP) and causes cell injury by two primary mechanisms. First, FdUMP binds covalently to thymidylate synthase (TS) and prevents formation of thymidylate, the precursor of thymidine triphosphate that is required for DNA synthesis, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation. The second mechanism results from the incorporation of FUTP into RNA in place of UTP, thereby preventing the correct nuclear processing of ribosomal RNA and messenger RNA. These effects are most marked on rapidly proliferating cells, such as tumour cells, which utilize 5-FU at a higher rate.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of capecitabine and its metabolites have been evaluated in 11 studies in a total of 213 cancer patients at a dosage range of 502 to 3514 mg/m²/day. The parameters of capecitabine, 5’DFCR and 5’DFUR measured on days 1 and 14 were similar. AUC of 5-FU was 30% higher on day 14, but did not increase subsequently (day 22). At therapeutic doses, the pharmacokinetics of capecitabine and its metabolites were dose proportional, except for 5-FU. The elimination half-life of both capecitabine and 5-FU were about 45 minutes.

Absorption: The gastrointestinal absorption of capecitabine and its metabolites (5’-DFCR, 5’-DFUR and 5-FU) was rapid (median 2 hours; range 0.5 to 5 hours). Capecitabine is extensively absorbed since at least 70% of the dose was recovered in urine with low variability (CV of 30%).

Distribution: Binding of ¹⁴C-capecitabine, ¹⁴C-5’-DFCR and 3H-5’-DFUR to human plasma proteins were determined in vitro by ultrafiltration. The concentration ranges used (0.2/0.5 to 200/500 mcg/mL) encompassed the concentrations observed in plasma species in vivo. Plasma protein binding of capecitabine is low (54%, 10% and 60% for capecitabine, 5’-DFCR and 5’-DFUR, respectively) and is not concentration-dependent. Capecitabine was primarily bound to human albumin (approximately 35%).

Excretion: In three studies, concentrations of capecitabine and its metabolites (5’-DFCR, 5’-DFUR, 5-FU, FUH2, FUPA and FBAL) were measured in urine. Over 70% of the capecitabine dose was recovered in urine as drug-related material. The majority of the dose was recovered as FBAL (approximately 50%).

16. Non-Clinical Toxicology

The tables presented on the following pages provide the findings of the main toxicology, mutagenicity/genotoxicity and reproduction/teratology studies performed with capecitabine:

Acute Toxicity:

¹ 500 mg/kg (day 1), 1000 mg/kg (day 4), 2000 mg/kg (day 7)

Subchronic and Chronic (Long-Term) Toxicology Studies:

¹ 10 for 13 week dosing, 5 for recovery

² The high dose was changed from 791 mg/kg/day to 593 mg/kg/day on day 37

¹ Days 0-31:215 mg/kg/day; days 32-34: cessation of administration; days 35-90: 162 mg/kg/day

Carcinogenicity Study:

Mutagenicity and Genotoxicity Studies:

Reproduction and Teratology Studies:

17. Supporting Product Monographs

1. 1. XELODA^® (capecitabine tablets, 150mg and 500mg), submission control 247293, Product Monograph, Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, Canada, Inc. (2021-04-19)