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Description
What is Hydroxyurea?
Hydroxyurea capsules are used for treating resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), the cancer of white blood cells. This type of cancer causes painful crises and the patient requires blood transfusions for managing sickle cell anaemia. Hence, this medicine helps reduce the frequency of painful crises while decreasing the need for blood transfusions too.
What is hydroxyurea used for?
Hydroxyurea uses mainly include treatment for white blood cell cancer (resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)).
It can be suggested alone or in combination with other cancer medicines. These capsules can be prescribed as a part of a radiation therapy regimen for managing several types of CML. Also, it could be indicated for combating other types of cancer affecting the head and neck. At times, it may be advised among patients diagnosed with polycythaemia vera (a medical condition during which the body undergoes abnormally high production of red blood cells).
What does hydroxyurea do for polycythaemia vera?
Polycythaemia vera is a medical condition characterized by the overproduction of red blood cells by the body. This leads to thickening of the blood and increases the risk of clotting, further increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Hydroxyurea helps in reducing abnormal production of red blood cells while lowering its count effectively and preventing the risk of associated complications.
How should I take hydroxyurea?
Follow the physician’s instructions for taking Hydroxyurea dosage & avail optimal benefits.
This medicine is typically consumed once daily and at the same time regularly throughout the treatment schedule. Your doctor shall make required adjustments to the treatment plan, as and when necessary. Stick to the same to keep away from the side effects.
Generally, one Hydroxyurea capsule is swallowed per dosage with a glass of water. It is best to take this cancer medicine with a meal to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort. You may however choose to take it without food too, as per your convenience.
Dosage Instructions
- Remember to not break the capsule and swallow the powder separately because it can be harmful to your eyes, skin, or membranes when comes in direct contact.
- If in case you miss using any dose, take it right when you remember but not if the next dosage is about to be consumed. Doubling the dosage can cause severe side effects.
- Drink a lot of fluids as water or fruit juices to help your body process the drug easily and minimize the risk of kidney disorders.
- Avoid overdosing or misusing this medication else non-favouring circumstances shall arise.
How does hydroxyurea work?
Hydroxyurea mechanism of action mainly controls the abnormally rapid production of immature white blood cells (WBC). The individual diagnosed with CML undergoes uncontrollable growth of WBC because of the Philadelphia chromosome responsible for excessive cell division. This medicine thus works by blocking ribonucleotide reductase enzyme utilized for DNA synthesis by rapidly dividing cells.
It slows down DNA synthesis which prevents rapid division of cancerous cells and brings the WBC count to normal levels. Consequently, the associated health risks like fatigue, infection & organ strain are reduced too. In addition, it alleviates symptoms like bone pain and spleen enlargement too.
Please find that hydroxyurea is highly effective in managing the underlying symptoms of resistant CML when used during the initial phases. It is not a cure though. More targeted therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are required for full effectiveness.
Side effects of Hydroxyurea
The Hydroxyurea side effects can be broadly categorized as short and long-term. Most of the temporary side effects are well-tolerated and subside by themselves as the body adjusts to the drug. However, the chronic side effects may be discomforting and difficult to manage. Contact the healthcare provider as soon as possible to seek help for handling the same.
- Short-term Side effects: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, darker skin, rashes, discolouration of nails, mouth sores, etc.
- Long-term Side effects: suppression of bone marrow, increased risk of secondary cancers, leg ulcers, kidney and liver damage, etc.
Contraindications and Precautions
- This CML treatment is not suitable for patients allergic to Hydroxyurea. Make sure to have checked all the contents on the product label before attempting purchase.
- Never use this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Discuss such medical conditions with the healthcare provider before initiating dosages.
- Talk to your doctor if you have any critical health issues pre-existing – heart, kidney or liver damage, diabetes, blood pressure, glaucoma, etc.
- Patients with blood disorders need to practice extra caution while ongoing treatment with this drug.
- The healthcare provider could suggest regular monitoring of blood count with some tests at frequent intervals. Do it accordingly to ensure desired health improvements.
- Don’t drink alcohol throughout your treatment with this cancer medicine.
- Drop your idea of altering the dosage (in case you ever think about it) and follow the treatment plan instead to ensure safe treatment.
- Avoid discontinuing this medicine suddenly else the underlying symptoms shall worsen.
Conclusion
Hydroxyurea is a trusted medicine for treating white blood cell cancer, medically termed as resistance chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). It combats the underlying symptoms effectively and stops the abnormally rapid growth of white blood cells, thus slowing down the progression of cancer. This medicine works as expected whether prescribed alone, in combination with other cancer medicines, or as a part of radiation therapy.
Meanwhile, your choice of licensed pharmacy to buy Hydroxyurea online makes a noteworthy impact. Make sure you order yours from authorized sources like arrowmeds.com only.
FAQs
Which foods to avoid when taking hydroxyurea?
Stick to a balanced and nutritious diet while taking Hydroxyurea capsules. Avoid alcohol and any foods that elevate gastrointestinal discomfort.
What happens if you stop taking hydroxyurea?
When stopped abruptly, the risk of rebound increase in blood disorder occurs. For instance, abnormally high white blood cells are produced among CML patients and uncontrollable growth of red blood cells among polycythaemia vera patients. It is thus advised not to stop using this medicine without being advised by the physician.
How long can you take hydroxyurea?
It is mostly a part of long-term treatment plans for white blood cell cancer or sickle cell anaemia. The doctor shall determine the treatment duration according to the severity of symptoms, response to the drug & further treatments required.
What happens if you touch hydroxyurea?
Touching Hydroxyurea capsule content (powder within the capsule) can be harmful to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. In case you touch it accidentally, wash your hands with soap and water right at the moment.
How much does hydroxyurea cost per month?
In the USA, Hydroxyurea cost starts at $20 for the pack of 30 capsules when you order from arrowmeds.com. The prices can differ as per the location, brand & pack size.
How does Hydroxyurea increase HBF?
Hydroxyurea increases HBF among patients with sickle cell disease. It does so for helping in reducing red blood cell sickling which further reduces pain crises & associated complications.
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