Hydrea

Generic name: Hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea capsules

What are hydroxyurea capsules?

HYDROXYUREA (Droxia, Hydrea) is used to treat sickle cell disease or certain types of cancer. Hydroxyurea is used for treating cancers of the blood, skin, ovary and head and neck. Hydroxyurea is also used to decrease the painful episodes associated with sickle cell disease. Hydroxyurea does not cure sickle cell disease, but may help to control the symptoms when used on a regular basis. Generic hydroxyurea capsules are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• bleeding problems
• blood disorders
• dental disease
• having intramuscular injections
• infection (especially virus infection such as chickenpox or herpes)
• kidney disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to hydroxyurea, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take hydroxyurea capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your doctor or health care professional, even if the capsules make you feel unwell. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice. If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, carefully open it and empty the contents into a glass of water. Drink at once, some ingredients may not dissolve, but float on the surface; this does not matter. Make sure to drink all of the water to get the entire dose. Rinse and wash the glass thoroughly after using.

Hydroxyurea is a medicine that must be handled with care. People who are not taking hydroxyurea should not be exposed to the powder in the open capsules. Wear disposable gloves when handling bottles or capsule of hydroxyurea. Wash your hands before and after handling the hydroxyurea bottle or capsules. If the powder from the capsule is spilled, it should be wiped up immediately with a damp towel. The towel should then be put in a closed container such as a plastic bag and thrown away.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, skip that dose unless you remember within a few hours, or your prescriber or health care professional tells you otherwise. Do not take double or extra doses. If you vomit after taking a dose, call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature, approximately 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Contact your health care provider for instructions on how to throw away expired capsules.

What drug(s) may interact with hydroxyurea?

• didanosine, ddI
• medicines that affect your blood such as cilostazol or warfarin,
• other chemotherapy agents may increase the side effects seen with hydroxyurea
• stavudine, d4T
• vaccines

Talk to your prescriber or health care professional before taking any of these medicines:

• aspirin
• acetaminophen
• ibuprofen
• naproxen
• ketoprofen

Tell your prescriber or other health care professional about all other medicines you are taking including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medications.

What should I watch for while taking hydroxyurea?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side effects of hydroxyurea can continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.

Hydroxyurea may make you feel generally unwell. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you to stop.

When given alone or with other chemotherapy agents, hydroxyurea may decrease your body's ability to fight infections or increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you have a fever, chills, sore throat or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat these symptoms yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you notice any unusual bleeding. Be careful not to cut, bruise or injure yourself because you may get an infection and bleed more than usual.

Hydroxyurea may harm your unborn baby. You should contact your prescriber immediately if you believe or suspect you or your partner has become pregnant while you are taking hydroxyrea. Both men and women must use effective birth control continuously while taking hydroxyurea. It is recommended that you use 2 reliable forms of contraception together.

Avoid taking aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or ketoprofen (Orudis KT) products as these may hide a fever, unless instructed to by your prescriber or health care professional.

Be careful brushing and flossing your teeth or using a toothpick while receiving hydroxyurea because you may get an infection or bleed more easily. If you have any dental work done, tell your dentist you are receiving hydroxyurea.

Drink several glasses of water a day. This will help to reduce possible kidney problems.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking hydroxyurea.

What side effects may I notice from taking hydroxyurea?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

.low blood counts - hydroxyurea may decrease the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. You may be at increased risk for infections and bleeding.

• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
• signs of decreased platelets or bleeding - bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine
• signs of decreased red blood cells - unusual weakness or tiredness, fainting spells, lightheadedness
• burning, redness or pain at the site of radiation therapy
• lower back pain
• sore mouth or lips (ulcers)
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation or diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• red face
• skin rash, itching