Objective To explore the effect of self-management efficacy on compliance of taking capecitabine in discharged patients with colorectal cancer. Methods A total of 82 patients with colorectal cancer who were treated in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from January 2014 to December 2016 were selected by convenient sampling method. The general data, drug compliance and self-management efficacy of patients were investigated and the relationship between drug compliance and self-management efficacy was analyzed. Results Compliance score of taking capecitabine for 82 patients with colorectal cancer was (6.42±1.65) points; among them 5 cases were excellent (6.10%), good in 54 cases (65.85%) and poor in 23 cases (28.05%). Compliance of taking capecitabine in discharged patients with colorectal cancer was positively correlated with the scores of all dimensions and total score of self-management efficacy. Self-management efficacy was an independent factor affecting the compliance of patients with capecitabine, which could explain 13.4% of the overall variation of compliance. Conclusions Compliance of taking capecitabine in discharged patients with colorectal cancer is unsatisfied. Education on self-management efficacy from medical staff could improve the patients' medication adherence and their quality of life.