How Assistance Works
Streamlining our patient’s specialty pharmacy experience with unmatched full-service convenience
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1. Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
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2. Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma®
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
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3. Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
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4. Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma® Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
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5. Nursing Care Coordination If Needed
AmeriPharma® puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
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6. Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
What Is Capecitabine?
Capecitabine is also known by the brand name, Xeloda. It is an antineoplastic (anticancer) drug that belongs to a class called antimetabolites (metabolic inhibitor), and it may be prescribed alone or in combination with other anti-cancer drugs.
Mechanism of Action
Capecitabine is a prodrug, so when a capecitabine pill is ingested, the body converts it into its active form, fluorouracil. Fluorouracil is the toxic substance that kills cancer cells by preventing cells from growing properly. Capecitabine is a type of chemotherapy.
How Is Capecitabine Used?
Capecitabine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a first-line agent to treat metastatic breast, colon, colorectal, pancreatic, esophageal, and other cancers. Capecitabine can be prescribed in combination with other chemotherapy agents, depending on the severity and type of cancer.
Available Formulations
Capecitabine is only available in the form of tablets and must be administered orally. The tablets are available in two strengths: 150 mg and 500 mg. The tablets are elliptical or oval-shaped, light-pink, and embossed with “XELODA” on one side and either “150” or “500” on the other side (depending on the dose).
Dosing
Capecitabine is dosed based on body surface area (BSA). BSA is calculated using height and weight. Depending on the cancer type and severity, capecitabine may be dosed once or twice a day. Verify the correct dose and frequency with your provider.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Pharmacy alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
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Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
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One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
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Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
Directions for Use
Take capecitabine 30 minutes after a meal and with plenty of water (if taken too close to a meal, it may not be absorbed to its full extent). When taking the tablet, swallow it whole; do not crush, chew, or allow it to be dissolved in your mouth.
Missed Dose
If you have accidentally missed a dose, do not take additional tablets. Skip the missed dose and continue with your next scheduled dose.
Storage
Store tablets in a cool, dry place at room temperature and ensure the bottle is tightly closed.
Pregnancy and Capecitabine
Pregnancy status must be checked prior to starting chemotherapy in women of childbearing age. Women of childbearing age must use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose.
Male patients with partners who can become pregnant should use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose. Capecitabine may cause fetal harm and is therefore not recommended for women who are breastfeeding.
Capecitabine Side Effects
Common side effects include:
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea or abdominal pain
- Skin rash
- Eyesight weakness
- Hand-and-foot syndrome
- Bone marrow suppression
- Infection risk
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Bone/joint pain
Less common side effects include:
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Body pain
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Headache
- Dry skin and brittle nails
- Mouth sores and ulcers
- Depression
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Speak with a copay assistance specialist
(877) 778-0318
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