Hydroxyurea

Uses

Precaution

Side Effects

Handling

Uses

What is Hydroxyurea for?

Hydroxyurea is an anticancer medication used for the treatment of leukemia. It works by interfering with the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) growth and repair, hence impeding growth of leukemic cells.

Hydroxyurea is also used for the management of sickle cell anemia. It works by increasing red blood cells (RBC) hemoglobin F levels and hence helps RBC stay flexible.

How should I take or use Hydroxyurea?

Hydroxyurea is available in capsule form.

Hydroxyurea is usually taken once a day, preferably at the same time each day. Your doctor may change the dosage of Hydroxyurea depending on blood tests results. Always follow the doctor’s instructions strictly. Do not stop taking (or giving) Hydroxyurea unless you are told to do so by your doctor. Do not take (or give) more or less than required unless instructed.

Take (or give) Hydroxyurea with food or on an empty stomach. Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water. Do not open, crush or chew the capsules. Please inform your pharmacist or doctor if you (or your child) are unable to swallow capsules.

What should I do if I forget to take or use Hydroxyurea?

If you (or your child) forget a dose, take (or give) it as soon as you remember. If it is nearer to the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take (or give) two doses at the same time.

Do not repeat dose if vomiting occurs after dose is administered, wait until the next scheduled dose. Contact the pharmacist or doctor if you (or your child) repeatedly missed doses due to vomiting, even with the administration of anti-vomiting medicine.

Precaution

What precautions should I take when taking or using Hydroxyurea?

Do not use this medicine if you (or your child) is allergic to Hydroxyurea.

Before starting Hydroxyurea, do inform your doctor of any other medical conditions (eg. kidney diseases) or other medications (especially anti-HIV medications) that you (or your child) is already on. Do not take any other medications, herbal products or vaccinations without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

What are some common side effects of Hydroxyurea?

Possible side effects from Hydroxyurea and their management are listed below. Always inform the doctor if you (or your child) experience any side effects, so that the necessary monitoring may be conducted. Seek immediate medical attention if side effects are serious and urgent for e.g. severe skin reactions such as skin ulcers or allergic reactions such as itchy rash, blistered, peeling skin, swelling in face/ lips/ tongue/ throat, tightness in chest or throat and/ or trouble breathing.

Side effects

Management

Low white blood cell count.

White blood cells protect the body by fighting bacteria (germs) that cause infection.

When the number of white blood cells is low, you (or your child) will be more susceptible to infections and may become very ill from these infections.

To help prevent infection:

Wash hands regularly, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
Avoid crowded places and avoid contact with people who are sick.
Do not eat raw or undercooked food.

Seek medical help immediately if your (or your child) experiences any of the following:

Fever (temperature of 38ËšC twice or â‰¥38.5ËšC once).
Bleeding in stools or urine.
Any uncontrollable or persistent bleeding or bruising.

Low platelet counts.

Platelets are important for blood clotting. With low platelets, you (or your child) may bruise or bleed (eg. gums or nose) more easily than usual.

Be safety conscious.

Brush teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Raised uric acid levels in blood.

This may occur when Hydroxyurea is first started. High uric acid in the blood may affect the kidney.

Drink plenty of fluids (at least 8 glasses per day).

Seek medical help immediately if you (or your child) experiences signs of gout such as warmth, pain, swelling and extreme tenderness in joints.

Hair loss may rarely occur.

Use gentle shampoo and soft hairbrush.

Wear a cap to protect the scalp especially when going out.

Handling

How should I store Hydroxyurea?

Keep away from children
Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight
Store at room temperature

How should I handle Hydroxyurea safely?

Take precautions to avoid cytotoxic exposure: wear gloves and mask when handling the capsules. Please refer to Patient’s Information Leaflet on “Safe Handling of Oral Cytotoxic Medications” for details.

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.