Prepare Together.
Start a dialogue with your patients and their caregivers.
Talk to your patients about 5-FU and capecitabine toxicity before your patients begin chemotherapy.
Encourage
Self-Monitoring.
Encourage self-monitoring for symptoms of toxicity and inform family and caregivers about the signs and symptoms so they can help monitor during the critical window of during and following completion of chemotherapy.
Remind them that you're listening.
Encourage them to call.
Encourage them to call and talk to their cancer care team as soon as they suspect they are experiencing symptoms of a toxic reaction, even if they are unsure about symptoms. Remind them that it’s important to speak up so that their cancer care team can take action immediately.
Reassure them that they shouldn't worry.
Treatment is available.
5-FU and capecitabine toxicity is treatable. Vistogard® (uridine triacetate) is the first and only antidote for the treatment of 5-FU and capecitabine toxicity. In clinical trials, 96% of patients treated with Vistogard® survived 5-FU or capecitabine toxicity. 1, 2,19