Hydroxyurea

As I continue my research on this drug, I will blog what I am finding on it so anyone else who ever is prescribed this drug has some indications of side effects.

This medication is used:

• to treat melanoma (a type of skin cancer)
• to treat chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML; cancer of the white blood cells)
• to treat recurrent, metastatic, or inoperable ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovary [a female reproductive organ] that has returned after treatment, that has spread, or that cannot be treated with surgery)
• with radiation therapy to control primary squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) that affects any part of the head or neck except the lips
• to prevent crises (episodes of severe pain) and decrease the need for blood transfusions (transfer of one person's blood to another person's body) in people who have sickle cell anemia (a blood disease that may cause painful crises, a low number of red blood cells, infection, and damage to the internal organs).

Hydroxyurea is in a class of medications known as antineoplastic agents.Hydroxyurea treats cancer by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. Hydroxyurea treats sickle cell anemia by changing red blood cells so that they are less likely to bend in an abnormal shape. The length of treatment depends on the condition you have and how well your body responds to this medication.
Hydroxyurea is usually taken once a day. When hydroxyurea is used to treat certain types of cancer, it may be taken once every third day. Try to take hydroxyurea at about the same time of day on the days that you are scheduled to take the medication. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand. Take hydroxyurea exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of hydroxyurea and gradually increase your dose.
Hydroxyurea may help control the symptoms of sickle cell anemia but does not cure the condition. Continue to take hydroxyurea even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor.

Side effects

Hydroxyurea may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• drowsiness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately.

• rash
• purple, blue, or black discoloration of the skin or nails
• loss of feeling in one area of the body
• sores on the skin or in the mouth
• foul-smelling substance oozing from the skin
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

From Mayo Clinic site

Hydroxyurea can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

• If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor immediately if you think you are getting an infection or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in the urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
• Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick. Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work done.
• Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
• Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
• Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

Using this medicine for a long time may increase your risk of developing cancer of the blood (leukemia). Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.
This medicine may cause temporary loss of hair in some people. After treatment has ended, normal hair growth should return, although the new hair may be a slightly different color or texture.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common

• Cough or hoarseness
• Fever or chills
• Lower back or side pain
• Painful or difficult urination

Less common

• Black, tarry stools
• Blackening of the fingernails and toenails
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Sores in the mouth and on the lips
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Rare

• Confusion
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Difficulty with urination
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• Swelling of the feet or lower legs

Incidence not known

• Bleeding under the skin
• Blisters on the skin
• Bluish or pale color on the skin of the fingers or toes
• Coldness of the fingers or toes
• Crater-like lesions on the skin
• Itching skin
• Numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes
• Pain in the fingers or toes
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Weight loss

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common

• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or vomiting

Less common

• Constipation
• Redness of skin at the place of irradiation
• Skin rash and itching