From the FDA Drug Label
Drug-Food Interaction In all clinical trials, patients were instructed to administer XELODA within 30 minutes after a meal. Since current safety and efficacy data are based upon administration with food, it is recommended that XELODA be administered with food Take XELODA tablets within 30 minutes after the end of a meal (breakfast and dinner)
It is recommended to take XELODA with food, and specifically, within 30 minutes after a meal. Milk can be considered as part of a meal, but there is no specific information about taking XELODA with milk. However, based on the instruction to take XELODA with food, it can be inferred that taking XELODA with milk is likely acceptable, as long as it is taken within the recommended timeframe after a meal. 1 1 1
- Key points:
- Take XELODA with food
- Take XELODA within 30 minutes after a meal
- Milk can be considered as part of a meal, but no specific information is available about taking XELODA with milk.
From the Research
XELOX (a chemotherapy regimen combining capecitabine and oxaliplatin) can be taken with milk, but with caution, as dairy products may worsen gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea, which are common with this chemotherapy, as reported in a study published in 2022 2. When considering the consumption of milk during XELOX treatment, it's essential to be aware of the potential for increased digestive issues. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2022, highlights the importance of managing adverse reactions and monitoring adherence to capecitabine treatment 2. Some key points to consider:
- Dairy products may exacerbate gastrointestinal side effects, such as diarrhea, which is a common adverse reaction associated with capecitabine therapy 2.
- Cold dairy products may help soothe mouth sores (mucositis) that can develop during treatment, but individual tolerance varies, and some patients may experience increased digestive issues 2.
- It's crucial to stay well-hydrated during chemotherapy treatment, regardless of milk consumption, and to discuss specific dietary concerns with an oncologist or oncology nurse, as they may have personalized recommendations based on medical history and treatment response 2.
- A case report published in 2022 highlights the importance of considering dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency, which can induce severe adverse events in patients receiving fluoropyrimidines, including capecitabine 3. Overall, while there is no absolute contraindication to consuming milk during XELOX treatment, patients should be cautious and monitor their body's response to dairy products, considering the potential for increased gastrointestinal side effects.