INDICATIONS
Hydroxyurea is employed to help remedy melanoma (melanoma), a cancer from the white blood cells called chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), and metastatic cancer (cancer which includes spread) in the ovaries. This medicine are often given as well as radiation strategy to head and neck cancer (primary squamous cell cancer).
Hydroxyurea is additionally used in adult patients with sickle cell anemia to avoid painful episodes minimizing the requirement of blood transfusions. It works by making the red blood cells more flexible.
INSTRUCTIONS
Before you set about treatment with hydroxyurea, you and the doctor should mention the excellent this medicine is going to do along with the perils of making use of it.
Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, don't use it more frequently, and do not use it for longer than a medical expert ordered.
This medicine has a patient information insert. Read and refer to the instructions inside insert carefully. Ask your doctor when you have questions.
Hydroxyurea should be handled carefully and people who aren't taking this medicine must be careful to avoid touching it. To decrease the chance of touching the medicine:
Wear disposable gloves when handling hydroxyurea or bottles containing hydroxyurea.
Wash both hands before exposure to the bottle or capsules.
If powder through the capsule is spilled, you should wipe it up immediately using a damp disposable towel and discard it in the closed container, like a plastic bag.
You need to keep medicine far from children and pets.
You should contact your physician for instructions on how to get rid of capsules which might be beyond the expiration date.
If you miss a dose of the medicine, take it immediately. However, when it is almost time for your forthcoming dose, skip the missed dose and get back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
DOSAGE
The dose of the medicine changes for different patients. Follow a medical expert's orders or perhaps the directions around the label. The following information includes just the average doses of this medicine. If your dose differs, don't put it back unless your doctor lets you know to do so.
The quantity of medicine which you take depends for the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take on a daily basis, time allowed between doses, as well as the amount of time you are taking the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage form (capsules):
For cancer in the head and neck, ovaries, or skin:
For chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML):
For sickle cell anemia:
STORAGE
Store the medicine inside a closed container at room temperature, faraway from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out from the reach of youngsters.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no more needed.
Ask your doctor how you must eliminate any medicine you do not use.
Along using its needed effects, medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, when they occur they may need medical help.
Check with a medical expert immediately if any of the following negative effects occur:
More common
Less common
Rare
Incidence not known
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following the signs of overdose occur:
Some side effects may occur have a tendency to usually do not need medical attention. These unwanted effects might have to go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your wellbeing care professional might be able to tell you about ways to avoid or reduce some of these unwanted effects. Check together with your health care professional if any with the following unwanted side effects continue or are bothersome or for those who have any queries about them:
More common:
Less common:
Other unwanted effects not listed may also appear in some patients. If you notice every other effects, check using your medical practioner.
Call your medical professional for health advice about negative effects.
It is vital that a medical expert check your progress at regular visits to ensure that this drugs are working properly. Blood tests are usually necesary to check on for negative effects.
Make sure your physician knows in case you are pregnant before you use this medicine. Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your baby. If you think you have get pregnant with the medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
While you happen to be being treated with hydroxyurea, and as soon as you stop deploying it, tend not to have any immunizations (vaccines) without a medical expert's approval. Hydroxyurea may decrease your body's resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to avoid. In addition, other persons surviving in your family must not get live vaccines (eg, nasal flu vaccine, measles, mumps, or rubella) while there is the opportunity they could pass the problem to you. Also, avoid persons who've had a live vaccine. Do not get near them , nor stay in the same room using them for too long. If you cannot take these precautions, you ought to consider wearing a protective breathing filter that covers the nose and mouth.
Hydroxyurea can temporarily lower the volume of white blood cells inside your blood, increasing the possibility of getting disease. It can also lower the volume of platelets, which can be necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, a number of precautions you are able to take, specially when your blood count is low, to lessen the risk of infection or bleeding:
Using this medicine for a long time may raise your probability of developing cancer from the blood (leukemia). Talk to a medical expert for those who have concerns relating to this risk.
This medicine could potentially cause temporary decrease of hair in certain people. After treatment ends, normal new hair growth should return, although the new hair can be a slightly different color or texture.
Do not take other medicines unless they've been discussed with a medical expert. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or nutritional vitamin supplements.
Airmail: 2-3 business weeks
EMS: 3-8 business days