Hydroxyurea

What are Hydroxyurea uses? 

This medicine is mainly used for treating chronic myeloid leukaemia, ovarian cancer as well as certain types of skin cancer usually the squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.  

Hydroxyurea medication is also very effective in reducing pain episodes as well as the need for blood transfusions in people suffering from sickle cell anaemia. Remember that this medicine is not going to cure sickle cell anaemia.  

Hydroxyurea generic drug is available in the brand name Hydrea. Hydroxycarbamide medicine helps to cause changes in the blood in order to reduce the frequency of sickle cell crises.  

You can buy this medicine from our pharmacy at a reasonable price. Patients suffering from polycythemia vera can get benefit from Hydroxyurea.   

What is the dosage of Hydroxyurea? 

Before you start your Hydrea medication or each time you get a refill make sure that you read the medication guide carefully which is provided with medicine.  

Take this medicine by mouth with or without the food mainly once in a day as directed by your doctor. The dosage of this medicine is completely based on your medical condition, response to the treatment, weight as well as lab results. If your doctor sees that your blood counts are too low then there are chances that he or she might stop the treatment for a short time. Therefore, it is important for you to keep all the medical as well as lab appointments properly.   

Remember that you should not increase the dose of this medicine or use this drug often or for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor. In this way, you will not be able to improve your health faster but can definitely increase your risk for side effects.  

If you are taking capsules then swallow it whole without crushing, chewing or opening the capsules. But if you are using the tablets then swallow your dose with a glass full of water. You need to split a tablet only if it comes with a score line and your doctor has instructed you to do so. In case you find difficulty in swallowing the tablet then you can dissolve the whole or split the tablet in a small amount of water in a teaspoon and swallow it right away.  

You need to wash your hands before and after handling the Hydroxyurea medication or its container. Remember that whether it’s you or your caregiver, it is very important to wear disposable gloves at the time of handling this medication or its container. In case the powder from the tablet or capsule spills, immediately wipe it away with a wet paper towel and throw away in a closed container like a plastic bag. You need to clean the spill area right away from soap and water. It is very important for you to ensure that you should not breather the powder from the tablets or capsules.  

This drug is known to get absorbed through the skin as well as lungs so women who are pregnant or who might become pregnant should strictly not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the tablets or capsules.  

There are chances that your doctor might tell you to take a folic acid supplement. So follow the dosing instructions carefully. Hydrea medication can also lower your blood cell counts due to which it is important to have blood tests often. There are chances that your cancer treatments get delayed due to your results. 

It is important for you to tell your doctor well in advance that you are using this medicine because it can affect the results of many medical tests.  

Inform your doctor immediately, if your condition persists and gets worse with time.  

Therefore, store the medicine at the room temperature right away from direct light, heat and moisture. When you don’t use the medicine, keep the bottle tightly closed.  

What if you miss a dosage? 

As soon as you remember, take the skipped dose. But if it’s time for the next dose then avoid the skipped dose because two doses cannot be taken at the same time. 

Do not take extra medicine just to cover up the missed dose.  

What do you need to avoid while taking Hydroxyurea? 

This is medicine is known to increase the risk of developing skin cancer due to which it is suggested to avoid your exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Make sure that when you step outdoors you always wear protective clothing and also apply a sunscreen which has SPF 30 or higher. During Hydroxyurea medication you should not receive a live vaccine as you might develop a serious infection. Live vaccines mainly include mumps, yellow fever, measles, rubella, zoster, typhoid, varicella, rotavirus and nasal flu vaccine.  

Always avoid being around the people who are sick or suffering from any kind of infections. Inform your doctor immediately if you come across any signs of infection. Without wearing disposable gloves, avoid handling this medicine or medicine bottle.  

Stopping hydroxyurea without doctor’s permission can lead to serious side effects.  

Hydroxyurea is known to pass into body fluids due to which caregivers should always wear rubber gloves while cleaning up patient’s body fluids and handling dirty trash or changing diapers. Wash your hands properly before and after removing gloves. Soiled clothing and linens should be washed separately from another laundry.  

Can you take this medicine during pregnancy? 

Hydroxyurea tablets are known to harm an unborn baby due to which both men and women should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. The use of this medicine by either parent is known to cause birth defects.  

• If you are a woman then use the birth control for at least six months after your last dose of Hydroxyurea medication.
• If you are a man then use the birth control for at least one year right after your last dose.
• While using this medicine, if pregnancy occurs then immediately inform your doctor. 

Therefore, this medicine is known to affect fertility in men due to which it is necessary to use birth control because Hydroxyurea is going to harm an unborn baby if pregnancy occurs.  

Can a breastfeeding mother take this medicine? 

You should not breastfeed your nursing baby while using Hydroxyurea as it can harm the baby.  

Precautions to be taken while using Hydroxyurea 

If you are allergic to this medicine then you should not use it. Inform your doctor well in advance if you have ever suffered from: 

• A wound or ulcer on your leg
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Treatment with interferon, radiation or chemotherapy
• HIV or AIDS 

Using this medicine can also increase the risk of developing other types of cancer or leukaemia. Make sure that you talk with your doctor about all the specific risk.    

What are the side effects of Hydroxyurea? 

People who use this medicine can have serious side effects. Remember that your doctor has prescribed you this medicine because he or she has seen that the benefit of this medicine is greater than its side effects. Your risk can be decreased if you take this medicine carefully under a doctor’s monitoring. 

Some of the common side effects of Hydroxyurea are: 

• Low blood cell counts
• Constipation & diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Loss of appetite & nausea
• Bleeding 

You need to contact your doctor immediately if you come across any signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of your face, throat, lips & tongue, hives as well as difficulty in breathing. Get the emergency medical help if you suffer from: 

• Signs of liver or pancreases problems such as upper stomach pain that spread towards your back, jaundice, loss of appetite, vomiting, dark urine as well as fast heart rate
• Numbness, burning pain in your hands or feet, tingling
• Skin ulcers or open sores
• Skin numbness or purple discolouration
• Low blood cell counts such as mouth sores, fever, tiredness, unusual bleeding, chills, easy bruising, feeling light-headed and cold hands and feet
• Sudden chest pain, feeling short of breath, drug cough and wheezing

Therefore, this is not the complete list of side effects so if you experience apart from this list then contact your doctor immediately.  

Hydroxyurea Interactions 

Drug interactions can change how your medicines work or can also increase your risk for severe side effects. Make sure that you prepare the list of all products that you are using like prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs as well as herbal products. With your doctor’s approval, you should not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine.     

Hydroxyurea medication is known to interfere with your certain laboratory tests and may cause false results. So inform your laboratory personnel and doctor in advance that you are using this drug.  

There are total 170 drugs that are known to interact with Hydroxyurea. 

34 major drug interactions

121 moderate drug interactions

15 minor drug interactions 

Some of the names of drugs that interact with Hydroxyurea tablets include Ambien, Coumadin, Ibuprofen, Lexapro, Nexium, Plavix, etc.  

How do Hydroxyurea works? 

This medicine works by killing the quickly growing cells.  

Hydroxyurea Warnings

This medicine decreases bone marrow function which can lead to a low number of blood cells, while further, it can cause anaemia that will decrease your body’s ability to fight against infection.  

We only ship medications which are approved by FDA, Also please consult your doctor to make a full decision on what medication to take.