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What is hydroxyurea?
Hydroxyurea affects certain cells in the body, such as cancer cells or sickled red blood cells. Hydroxyurea is used to treat melanoma (a type of skin cancer), chronic myelocytic leukemia, cancer of the ovary, and primary squamous cell (skin) cancer of the head and neck. Hydroxyurea is also used to treat sickle cell anemia. Hydroxyurea may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of hydroxyurea?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• pinpoint red spots on your skin;

• red patches, skin ulcers, or darkened skin (especially on your legs or feet);

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• nausea or vomiting;

• loss of appetite;

• diarrhea;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• constipation;

• skin rash;

• itching;

• leg sores;

• redness of the face;

• hair loss;

• drowsiness;

• headache; or

• dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How should I take hydroxyurea?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Hydroxyurea can be taken with or without food. Handle the tablets and capsules with extreme care. The medicine from a crushed or broken tablet or capsule can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes, mouth, or nose, or on your skin. Wash your hands before and after handling the pills or the medicine bottle. For best protection, wear disposable gloves whenever handling the bottle or the pills. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely dispose of any unused tablets or capsules.

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What is the most important information I should know about hydroxyurea?
Hydroxyurea can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. To be sure your blood cells do not get too low, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect hydroxyurea?
There may be other drugs that can affect hydroxyurea. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Hydroxyurea has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed that the drug crosses the placenta. Its use has associated with embryotoxicity, fetal malformations, growth retardation, and impaired learning ability. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. If hydroxyurea is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential harm to the fetus. Women of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant.

A case has been reported in which a woman who previously had two stillbirths (not receiving hydroxyurea), gave birth to a healthy 6 lb boy after being treated with hydroxyurea for the first six weeks of her pregnancy.

Hydroxyurea is excreted into human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions with hydroxyurea, a decision should be made either to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Marked bone marrow depression. (See Hematologic Effects under Cautions.)
• Known hypersensitivity to hydroxyurea or any component of the formulation.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydroxyurea?
Before taking hydroxyurea, tell your doctor if you are being treated with radiation therapy or using interferon (Roferon, Intron, Rebetron, Actimmune, Betaseron, Rebif, Infergen, Alferon). Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have: poor bone marrow function; liver disease; or kidney disease. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use hydroxyurea, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment. FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use hydroxyurea if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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