hydroxyurea

(high drox ee you REE ah)
Droxia, Hydrea

What is the most important information I should know about hydroxyurea?

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Notify your doctor immediately if you develop fever, chills, a sore throat, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, sore in the mouth or on the lips, or unusual bleeding or bruising. These may be early signs of dangerous side effects.

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If you have difficulty swallowing the capsules and your doctor has directed you to empty the contents of the hydroxyurea capsules into water, do not inhale the powder or let it come in contact with your skin. If the contents of a capsule are spilled, wipe it up with a damp cloth and throw it away in a sealed container (e.g., a plastic bag). Keep all medicine and empty capsule shells out of the reach of children and pets.

What is hydroxyurea?

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Hydroxyurea affects certain cells in the body (e.g., cancer cells, sickled red blood cells). The exact way that hydroxyurea works is not known.

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Hydroxyurea is used to treat melanoma (a type of skin cancer), chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), cancer of the ovary, and primary squamous cell (skin) cancer of the head and neck. Hydroxyurea is also used in the treatment of sickle cell anemia.

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Hydroxyurea may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydroxyurea?

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

poor bone marrow function;

liver disease;

kidney disease, or

had radiation therapy.

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You may not be able to take hydroxyurea, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Hydroxyurea is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that hydroxyurea is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Use of effective contraception is recommended during treatment with hydroxyurea for the prevention of pregnancy.

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Hydroxyurea passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take hydroxyurea?

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Take hydroxyurea exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Hydroxyurea can be taken with or without food.

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If vomiting occurs shortly after taking a dose of hydroxyurea, contact your doctor. You may need to take another dose or you may be instructed to wait until the next scheduled dose.

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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with hydroxyurea to monitor progress and side effects.

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Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. It is important to take hydroxyurea regularly to get the most benefit.

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Store hydroxyurea at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

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Symptoms of a hydroxyurea overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while taking hydroxyurea?

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Individuals not taking hydroxyurea should avoid contact with the medication. If the contents of a capsule are spilled, wipe it up with a damp cloth and throw it away in a sealed container (e.g., a plastic bag). Keep all medicine and empty capsule shells out of the reach of children and pets.

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Hydroxyurea can lower the activity of the immune system making you more susceptible to infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. In addition, do not receive vaccines that contain a live strain of the virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) and avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live virus.

What are the possible side effects of hydroxyurea?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking hydroxyurea, and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or

fever, chills, or sore throat;

nausea or vomiting;

loss of appetite;

diarrhea;

sores in the mouth or on the lips; or

unusual bleeding or bruising.

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Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take hydroxyurea and talk to your doctor if you experience

constipation;

skin rash;

itching;

leg sores;

redness of the face;

hair loss;

drowsiness;

headache; or

dizziness.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect hydroxyurea?

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Do not receive "live" vaccines during treatment with hydroxyurea without first talking to your doctor. Your immune system may not be strong enough to receive a live vaccine while taking this medication.

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Other medications, especially those that affect the immune system, may interact with hydroxyurea. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, without first talking to your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about hydroxyurea written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with other, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.