HYDREA (Hydroxyurea)
Hydrea Information
Hydrea, a drug with the generic name hydroxyurea, is an antineoplastic agent available for oral use as a capsule. Hydrea used concomitantly with irradiation therapy is intended for use in the local control of primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Hydrea may also be used for treatment of various types of tumor.
Hydrea Indications
Hydrea is indicated for the treatment of various types of tumor such as:
- Melanoma
- Resistant chronic myelocytic leukemia
- Recurrent, metastatic, or inoperable carcinoma of the ovary
- Primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and the neck
- Renal insufficiency
- Hepatic insufficiency
Hydrea may also be prescribed for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Hydrea Warnings
Hydroxyurea contains a black-box warning because it can cause a severe drop in the number of blood cells in your bone marrow. This can increase your risk of a serious infection or bleeding.
Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms while taking hydroxyurea:
- Fever, sore throat, cough, congestion, or other signs of infection
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Vomit that's bloody or looks like coffee grounds
- Bloody or black, tarry stools
- Try to avoid contact with people who have infections or colds while taking this drug
Don't receive any vaccinations while taking hydroxyurea without first talking to your doctor.
Hydroxyurea also contains a black-box warning because the medicine may increase your chance of developing other cancers.
Some people have reported skin cancer or secondary leukemia after taking hydroxyurea.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Change in the appearance of a mole
- A new growth on the skin
- Any unusual skin changes
- Severe bone marrow depression
- Low white blood cell counts
- Low blood platelet levels
- Severe anemia or another blood disorder
- HIV/AIDS
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Allergies to medicines
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you've ever been treated with chemotherapy or radiation.
Tell your doctor you take hydroxyurea before having any type of surgery, including a dental procedure.
Hydroxyurea may interfere with certain medical tests. Tell all health professionals who treat you that you're taking this medicine.
Elderly people may be more sensitive to certain side effects of hydroxyurea. Talk to your doctor if this is a concern.
The safety and effectiveness of hydroxyurea in children haven't been confirmed. Don't give this medicine to a child unless a doctor tells you otherwise.
People who aren't taking hydroxyurea shouldn't come in contact with the medicine. Caregivers should wear disposable gloves when handling this drug.
Your doctor will want to perform important tests to monitor your body's response to hydroxyurea. Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory.
Hydrea Uses
This medication is used in people with sickle cell anemia to reduce the number of painful crises caused by the disease and to reduce the need for blood transfusions. It is also used to treat several types of cancer (such as chronic myelogenous leukemia, squamous cell carcinomas).
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
Hydrea Intake Guidelines
Be careful in driving or operating hazardous machinery after a dose of Hydrea.
Hydrea is a drug that must be well taken care of. People who are not taking Hydrea should not be exposed to it. Wipe up immediately with a damp towel and discard in a closed container such as a plastic bag if Hydrea powder is spilled from the capsule.
Keep Hydrea away from reach of children an pets.
Unless your doctor is aware of it, do not take any other medications. Tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are using Hydrea if you are about to start taking any new medicine.
Hydrea Dosage
Take Hydrea exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
All dosage of Hydrea is dependent on the age and ideal weight of the patient. Use the lowest effective dose of Hydrea.
For Intermittent Therapy: 80 mg/kg of Hydrea is administered orally as a single dose every third day.
For Continuous Therapy: 20 to 30 mg/kg is administered orally as a single dose every day.
For Concomitant Therapy with Irradiation: 80mg/kg is administered orally as a single dose every third day.
For Resistant Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia: 20 to 30 mg/kg is administered orally as a single dose daily.
Hydrea Overdose
Patients receiving dosages several times than the therapeutic has been reported to have:
- Acute mucocutaneous toxicity
- Soreness
- Violet erythema
- edema on palms and soles
- Scaling of hands and fee
- Severe generalized hyperpigmentation of the skin
- Stomatitis
Consult your doctor if you suspect an overdose of Hydrea.
Hydrea Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Hydrea as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take a double dose of Hydrea.
If you miss a dose of hydroxyurea, take it as soon as you remember.
But skip the missed dose if it's almost time for your next scheduled dose.
Don't take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Hydrea Side Effects
Talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms of Hydrea Side effects. Side effects of Hydrea include the following:
- Leukopenia
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Stomatitis
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Dermatological reactions
- Maculopapular rash
- Skin ulceration
- Dermatomyositis
- Peripheral and facial erythema
- Hyperpigmentation
- Atrophy of skin and nails
- Scaling and violet papules
- Skin cancer
- Dysuria
- Alopecia
- Moderate drowsiness
- Neurological disturbances
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Disorientation
- Hallucinations
- Convulsions
- Temporary impairment of renal tubular function
- Elevations in serum uric acid, BUN, and creatinine levels
- Abnormal BSP retention
- Fever
- Chills
- Malaise
- Edema
- Asthenia
- Elevation of hepatic enzymes
- Gastric irritation
- mucositis
- Acute pulmonary reactions
- Diffuse pulmonary infiltrates
- Dyspnea
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Fatal and nonfatal pancreatitis
- Hepatotoxicity
- Severe peripheral neuropathy
Hydrea Drug Reactions
Prospective studies on the potential interaction of Hydrea with other drugs have not been performed.
Avoid concurrent use of Hydrea with myelosupressive agebts or therapy to decrease likelihood of bone marrow depression or other adverse side effects.
Dosage adjustment of uricosuric acids is necessary since Hydrea may raise the level of uric serum acid.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information about these medicines.
Buy Hydrea
In some countries HYDREA may also be known as: Hydroxycarbamide, Droxia, Litalir, Mylocel, Onco-Carbide, Oxeron, Dacrodil, Syrea, Gidroxyurea
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon