HYDREA – Hydroxyurea 50mg Capsules

ABOUT HYDREA 

Hydrea is an anti-cancer (“antineoplastic” or “cytotoxic”) chemotherapy drug. It is classified as an “antimetabolite.” This medication affects certain cells in the body, such as cancer cells or sickled red blood cells.

MEDICINE USES :

Hydroxyurea Is Used For Chronic myeloid leukemia, Essential thrombocytosis and polycythemia vera, Head and neck cancer (used with radiation therapy), Melanoma and Refractory ovarian cancer (ovarian cancer that has not responded or progressed after standard therapy).

HYDROXYUREA COMMON SIDE EFFECTS :

bleeding; loss of appetite, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting; skin peeling or itching, mild rash; hair loss, darkening of your nails; headache, dizziness; or swelling in your hands or feet.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

    skin numbness or purple discoloration, skin ulcers or open sores; painful or difficult urination; numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet;
    signs of a weak immune system–fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, easy bruising or bleeding;
    pancreas problems–severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate; or liver problems–nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling,
    loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

SAFETY INFORMATION (Precautions) for HYDREA HYDROXYUREA CAPSULES :

    Hydroxyurea may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medication with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly  unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
     Hydrea may harm your liver; cause pancreas problems; or cause burning, numbness, or tingling of your arms, hands, legs, or feet if you take it with certain HIV medicines (eg, didanosine, stavudine). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about this information.
    Skin cancer has been reported with long-term use of Hydroxyurea. Contact your doctor right away if you notice a change in the appearance of a mole, new growth on the skin, or          any unusual skin change.
    Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Hydroxyurea. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
    Hydrea may affect your ability to become pregnant or to father a child. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
    Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, kidney function, and liver function, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all              doctor and lab appointments.
    PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Hydroxyurea may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your              doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using it while you are pregnant. This medicine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking it.

This is not a complete list. Ask your health care provider for more information.

MEDICATION STORAGE REQUIREMENTS :

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F). Keep tightly closed.

DRUG INTERACTIONS :

Didanosine or stavudine because the risk of side effects, such as inflammation of the pancreas, may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Hydroxyurea may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.