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`Press Announcements > FDA approves first generic capecitabine to treat colorectal and breast cancers
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`U.S. Food and Drug Administration
`Protecting and Promoting Your Health
`
`FDA NEWS RELEASE
`
`For Immediate Release: Sept. 16, 2013
`Media Inquiries: Sandy Walsh, 3017964669, sandy.walsh@fda.hhs.gov
`(mailto:sandy.walsh@fda.hhs.gov)
`Consumer Inquiries: 888INFOFDA
`
`
`FDA approves first generic capecitabine to treat colorectal and
`breast cancers
`
`The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first generic version of Xeloda
`(capecitabine), an oral chemotherapy pill used to treat cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal
`cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), and metastatic breast cancer.
`
`Teva Pharmaceuticals USA has gained FDA approval to market generic capecitabine in 150 and 500
`milligram strengths.
`
`“Generic drugs are important options that allow greater access to health care for all Americans,” said
`Kathleen Uhl, M.D., acting director of the Office of Generic Drugs in the FDA’s Center for Drug
`Evaluation and Research. “This medication is widely used by people living with cancer, so it is
`important to have access to affordable treatment options.”
`
`According to the National Cancer Institute, it is estimated that 1.6 million people in the United States
`will be diagnosed with and 580,000 will die of cancer in 2013. It is estimated that 142,820 people will
`be diagnosed with and 50,830 will die of cancer of the colon and rectum in 2013. An estimated
`232,340 women will be diagnosed with and 39,620 women will die of cancer of the breast in 2013.
`
`In the clinical trials for Xeloda, the most commonly observed adverse reactions included: diarrhea;
`vomiting; nausea; pain, redness, swelling, or sores in the mouth; handandfoot syndrome (pain,
`swelling, or redness of hands or feet that prevents normal activity); and fever or infection.
`
`It is important that the prescriber know if the patient is also taking a medicine used to thin the blood,
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`Press Announcements > FDA approves first generic capecitabine to treat colorectal and breast cancers
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`such as warfarin. Capecitabine could increase the effect of this medicine, possibly leading to serious
`side effects. Capecitabine has a boxed warning to alert health care professionals and patients about
`this risk.
`
`Generic drugs approved by the FDA have the same high quality and strength as brandname
`drugs. Generic drug manufacturing and packaging sites must pass the same quality standards as
`those of brandname drugs.
`
`Information about the availability of generic capecitabine can be obtained from Teva.
`
`For more information:
`
`FDA: Understanding Generic Drugs
`(http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/Un
`derstandingGenericDrugs/default.htm)
`National Cancer Institute: Comprehensive Cancer Information (http://www.cancer.gov/)
`Information on specific drug products, Drugs@FDA
`(http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/)
`
`
`The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public
`health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and
`other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the
`safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off
`electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
`
`# # #
`
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