From the Guidelines
It is generally safe to take milk with capecitabine, but it is recommended to take the medication with water within 30 minutes after a meal to improve absorption and reduce stomach upset. Capecitabine, an oral chemotherapy medication used to treat various cancers, has a recommended dose that may be determined by institutional and regional practices, as stated in the BILCAP phase III randomized controlled trial 1. While milk is not specifically recommended as the liquid to take with the medication, consuming milk around the same time as capecitabine is not known to significantly interfere with the drug's effectiveness. However, if you experience digestive side effects from capecitabine such as nausea or diarrhea, dairy products including milk might potentially worsen these symptoms in some individuals.
Some key points to consider when taking capecitabine include:
- The medication should be taken at a dose of 1,250 mg/m2 twice a day on treatment days 1 to 14 of a 3-week cycle for 24 weeks (eight cycles), as delivered in the BILCAP phase III randomized controlled trial 1
- The Expert Panel preferentially supports the use of adjuvant capecitabine in patients with hormone receptor–negative, HER2-negative breast cancer, as stated in the CREATE-X study 1
- Patients with hormone receptor–positive and hormone receptor–negative disease may be enrolled, and the medication has been shown to improve recurrence-free survival and OS in patients with triple-negative breast cancer 1
If you're concerned about specific interactions or side effects, it's always best to consult with your oncologist or pharmacist about your particular situation, as they can provide personalized advice based on your complete medical history and other medications you may be taking.
From the Research
Capecitabine and Milk Consumption
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that addresses the interaction between capecitabine and milk consumption 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies focus on the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of capecitabine in various cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer, as well as its side effects and management 2, 3, 4, 5.
- One study discusses the penetration of capecitabine into brain metastases, but does not mention milk consumption 6.
- Another study examines the adverse reactions and adherence to capecitabine in patients with gastrointestinal cancer, but does not address dietary interactions with milk 4.
Dietary Considerations
- While the studies do not specifically address milk consumption, they do discuss the importance of patient education and management of side effects, which may include dietary advice 3, 4.
- However, without direct evidence, it is unclear whether milk consumption has any specific interaction with capecitabine 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.