Hydrea (Hydroxyurea)

(℞) Prescription Required

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Hydrea 500mg

Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by: Bristol-Myers Squibb
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Hydrea 500mg
Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb
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Hydroxyurea 500mg

Product of Canada
Manufactured by: Mylan
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Hydroxyurea 500mg
Product of Canada
Manufactured by Mylan
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Hydrea 500mg

Product of Turkey
Manufactured by: Bristol-Myers Squibb
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Hydrea 500mg
Product of Turkey
Manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb
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Hydrea (Hydroxyurea) Dosage and Side Effects

HYDREA  is used to treat cancer of the head and neck (excluding the lips) in combination with radiation, as well as cancer of the skin and a type of blood cancer (resistant chronic myelocytic leukemia).

Warnings and Precautions

BEFORE you use HYDREA talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:

  • you have problems with your kidney because the dose of HYDREA may need to be adjusted
  • you are breast-feeding. HYDREA can pass into your breast milk and harm your baby. Do not breast-feed if you are taking HYDREA.
  • you have problems with low blood count or anemia
  • you have received radiation therapy as this may increase your chances of developing redness of the skin if HYDREA is used with radiation treatment
  • you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. HYDREA can harm the fetus when given to a pregnant woman. Women should avoid becoming pregnant while undergoing treatment with HYDREA.
  • you are a male contemplating conception.
  • HYDREA may cause an absence or low amount of sperm in the semen (sometimes these events are reversible) and damage DNA in your sperm. Therefore you should seek advice on sperm conservation prior to treatment with HYDREA and use safe contraceptive measures during and at least 1 year after therapy ends.
  • you have HIV/AIDS and are receiving treatment as this can increase your chances of developing pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and liver problems
  • you are lactose intolerant
  • you recently received a vaccination or are scheduled for any vaccination. Patients taking HYDREA should not receive live vaccines.
  • you are receiving treatment with interferon. Inflammation of the blood vessels of the skin, sometimes leading to formation of ulcers or death of the blood vessels has been reported mostly in patients who have received or are currently receiving interferon treatment.

Side Effects

Along with their needed effects, medicines like HYDREA can sometimes cause unwanted effects such as blood problems and other side effects.

The following information describes the most important side effects of which you should be aware. It is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. You should report any unusual symptoms to your doctor.

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects occur:

  • Inflammation in or around the mouth.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • High fevers (≥40 degrees celcius).
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Diarrhea and constipation.
  • Inflammation of the blood vessels of the skin, sometimes leading to formation of ulcers or death of the blood vessels has been reported mostly in patients who have received or are currently receiving interferon treatment.
  • Rash, redness and ulceration in the face, skin or extremities. Any skin or nail changes.

Discontinue medication and check with your doctor if any of the following side effects occur:

  • Lack of urination, severe muscle weakness, abnormal heartbeat, and seizures (symptoms of tumour lysis syndrome)
  • Yellowing of skin and eyes, feeling tired, stomach ache, nausea, diarrhea, no appetite, fever, headaches (symptoms of Hepatitis)
  • Clay-colored or white stools, dark urine, inability to digest certain foods, itching, nausea or vomiting, pain in the right upper part of the abdomen, yellow skin or eyes (symptoms of cholestasis).

Interactions with this medication

Make sure you talk to your doctor about any other conditions you may have and all other medications you are taking, including prescription, non-prescription and herbal and/or natural products.

Concurrent use of hydroxyurea and other myelosuppressive agents or radiation therapy may increase the likelihood of bone marrow depression or other adverse events.

Proper Use of this medication

While you are using this medicine, your doctor may want you to drink extra fluids so that you will pass more urine. This will help prevent kidney problems and keep your kidneys working well.

Usual dose:

The dose of HYDREA will be different for different patients. The dose that is used may depend on a number of things, including what the medicine is being used for, your weight, and whether or not other medicines are also being taken. Follow your doctor's orders.

Depending on your condition, the usual dose could be 80 mg/kg, or 20-30 mg/kg given orally. The dose and frequency will vary with your disease. Please follow your doctor's orders.

Overdose:

If you think you may have taken more HYDREA than you should, talk to your doctor immediately or contact the Emergency room of the nearest hospital.

Missed dose:

It you miss a dose of this medicine check with your doctor.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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