Hydroxyurea

The recommended dose of hydroxyurea varies according to the specific condition being treated, the response to therapy, the other medications used, whether radiation is being used at the same time, the stage of condition, and the body weight of the recipient.

For the treatment of tumours, of the head and neck, the usual adult dose is 80 mg per kilogram of body weight taken in one dose every third day. If radiation is also being used, hydoxyurea dosing should start at least 7 days before the start of radiation and continue throughout and after treatment, unless there are extreme side effects.

For the treatment of resistant chronic myelocytic leukemia, the recommended adult dose is 20 mg to 30 mg per kilogram of body weight taken daily.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Hydroxyurea exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you cannot swallow capsules, you may empty the contents of the capsule into a glass of water and drink it immediately. Be very careful not to inhale the powder or let it come in contact with your skin or mucous membranes. If you spill the powder, wipe it up immediately with a damp towel and dispose of it along with the empty capsules. Empty capsules should be disposed of in a closed container, such as a plastic bag.

If you vomit shortly after taking the medication, contact your doctor for instruction on whether to take more medication or not. If you miss a dose of Hydroxyurea, call your doctor for instructions on how to proceed. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Your doctor may want you to drink extra fluids while taking Hydroxyurea in order to help you pass more fluid and protect your kidneys.

As well as interfering with the genetic material DNA of cancer cells, hydroxyurea can interfere with some of your normal cells. This can cause a number of side effects such as mouth sores. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor as suggested in the section "What side effects are possible with Hydroxyurea?"

Store Hydroxyurea at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause headaches; it may cause diarrhea or constipation, depending on the person; it may cause dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may lower your white blood cell count, which can lead to fever, chills, sore throat or infections - if you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it may make your skin more sensitive to UV rays (e.g., sunlight, tanning lamps) - avoid exposure to UV rays as much as possible and protect yourself when out in the sun. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Hydroxyurea by Sanis Health is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada. For brands that may still be available, search under hydroxyurea. This article is being kept available for reference purposes only. If you are using Hydroxyurea, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.

Do not take Hydroxyurea if you:

• are allergic to hydroxyurea or any ingredients of the medication
• have a very low platelet count
• have a very low white blood cell count
• have severe Anemia

There may be an interaction between hydroxyurea and any of the following:

• amphotericin B
• Azathioprine
• bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)
• medications to treat cancer (e.g., Carboplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide, Vincristine)
• Clozapine
• Colchicine
• corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, fluticasone, Prednisone)
• Cyclosporine
• Denosumab
• didanosine
• dipyrone
• echinacea
• echinaceafingolimod
• Leflunomide
• mycophenolate
• Natalizumab
• Pimecrolimus
• Rituximab
• Roflumilast
• stavudine
• Tacrolimus
• Tofacitinib
• Trastuzumab
• vaccines

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Hydroxyurea. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, decongestants, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Hydroxyurea.

Anemia: Hydroxyurea may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired, or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells, including red blood cells, in your blood.

Birth Control: There is the possibility of birth defects if either the father or mother is using hydroxyurea at the time of conception. Men should use effective birth control while taking hydroxyurea and for at least 1 year after completing treatment.

Blood clotting: Hydroxyurea can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. If you notice any signs of bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, cuts that won't stop bleeding, or black and tarry stools, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will order routine blood tests to make sure potential problems are caught early.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Hydroxyurea may cause drowsiness. Avoid operating machinery or motor vehicles or doing other potentially hazardous tasks until you determine how hydroxyurea affects you.

Fertility: Men who take hydroxyurea may experience a decrease in the number of healthy sperm produced. Sometimes this is reversible when the medication is stopped. If you are considering starting a family after treatment with hydroxyurea, talk to your doctor.

Gout: Hydroxyurea may increase the level of uric acid in the body. If you develop painful, warm and swollen joints or difficulty with urination, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

If you have a history of gout, discuss with your doctor how Hydroxyurea may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Hydroxyurea, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, hydroxyurea can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people with contagious infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you begin to notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Hydroxyurea to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Hydroxyurea may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Hydroxyurea, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Hydroxyurea may reduce liver function and can cause liver failure. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Hydroxyurea may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Hydroxyurea, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Hydroxyurea.

Tumour Lysis Syndrome: Hydroxyurea, like many other cancer medications, causes many cancer cells to be suddenly killed when treatment is first started. This can overwhelm the body with waste products from the cells. As a result, the body may not be able to keep up with getting rid of all the waste. When this happens, you may experience nausea, shortness of breath, notice cloudy urine, or joint pain. This is called tumour lysis syndrome. Your doctor may prescribe some medications to help your body get rid of the waste products. Make sure you understand how to use these medications and report any of these signs or symptoms to your doctor immediately.

Vaccinations: The effect of vaccines given to people with reduced immune system activity is unpredictable. Hydroxyurea may cause vaccines to be less effective than expected. Talk to your doctor if you need any vaccinations while taking Hydroxyurea.

Pregnancy: Hydroxyurea may harm the baby if taken during pregnancy and should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Hydroxyurea, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Hydroxyurea passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking hydroxyurea, it may affect your baby. Because of the risks associated with Hydroxyurea, women taking Hydroxyurea should not breast-feed.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Hydroxyurea have not been established for children.

Seniors: Seniors may be more at risk of developing side effects from Hydroxyurea.

To fully benefit from the effect of this medication, and to limit any adverse reactions, make sure that the health care facility overseeing your treatment has provided you with all the information needed to properly administer this drug. This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. If you miss a dose, contact your pharmacist. Never double a dose to make up for a missed dose. This medication may be taken with or without food. It is recommended to drink plenty of water while using this medication.