INDICATIONS
Hydroxyurea is utilized to help remedy skin cancer (melanoma), a cancer from the white blood cells called chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML), and metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread) in the ovaries. This medicine can also be given in addition to radiation strategy to head and neck cancer (primary squamous cell cancer).
Hydroxyurea is additionally used in adult patients with sickle cell anemia in order to avoid painful episodes minimizing the need for blood transfusions. It works by making the red blood cells more flexible.
INSTRUCTIONS
Before you begin treatment with hydroxyurea, you and the doctor should discuss the excellent this medicine can do plus the perils of deploying it.
Take this medicine exactly as directed through your doctor. Do not use really it, avoid using it more frequently, and avoid using it for a longer time than your physician ordered.
This medicine has a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions within the insert carefully. Ask your doctor when you have any queries.
Hydroxyurea needs to be handled carefully and people who are not taking this medicine ought to be careful to avoid touching it. To decrease the possibility of touching the medicine:
Wear disposable gloves when handling hydroxyurea or bottles containing hydroxyurea.
Wash the hands before and after experience of the bottle or capsules.
If powder through the capsule is spilled, you need to wipe it down immediately using a damp disposable towel and discard it in a closed container, for instance a plastic bag.
You need to keep medicine faraway from children and pets.
You should contact a medical expert for instructions on the way to dump capsules which can be after dark expiration date.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it at the earliest opportunity. However, when it is almost time for your upcoming dose, skip the missed dose and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
DOSAGE
The dose with this medicine will change for various patients. Follow your medical professional's orders or directions on the label. The following information includes exactly the average doses of the medicine. If your dose is different, don't put it back unless your medical professional informs you for this.
The amount of medicine that you simply take depends on the strength from the medicine. Also, the amount of doses you're taking every day, time allowed between doses, and also the amount of time you adopt the medicine depend on the problem you simply 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 in a very closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out from the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no more needed.
Ask your medical practioner how you need to eliminate any medicine you avoid the use of.
Along having its needed effects, medicine might cause some negative effects. Although not these unwanted side effects may occur, should they do occur they could need medical help.
Check with your physician immediately if any of the following unwanted effects occur:
More common
Less common
Rare
Incidence not known
Get emergency help immediately if any from the following the signs of overdose occur:
Some unwanted side effects may occur that always tend not to need medical attention. These side effects might have to go away during treatment as the body adjusts towards the medicine. Also, your quality of life care professional just might tell you about ways to prevent or reduce a few of these unwanted side effects. Check along with your health care professional if any from the following unwanted effects continue or are bothersome or when you have any queries about them:
More common:
Less common:
Other negative effects unpublished might also exist in some patients. If you notice another effects, check with your health care professional.
Call your medical professional for health advice about negative effects.
It is very important that your physician look at the progress at regular visits to ensure that this medicine is functional. Blood tests may be needed to test for unwanted effects.
Make sure your physician knows should you be pregnant before you use this medicine. Using this medicine when you are pregnant can harm your baby. If you think you have get pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor straight away.
While you happen to be receiving care with hydroxyurea, and after you stop making use of it, don't have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Hydroxyurea may lower your body's resistance and there is the opportunity you may get the problem the vaccine is meant to prevent. In addition, other persons residing in your household should not get live vaccines (eg, nasal flu vaccine, measles, mumps, or rubella) while there is a chance they are able to pass chlamydia on to you. Also, avoid persons who have had a live vaccine. Do not get all-around them and don't stay in the same room with these for too long. If you cannot take these precautions, you ought to consider wearing a protective breathing apparatus that covers the nose and mouth.
Hydroxyurea can temporarily lower the quantity of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, that happen to be needed for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, a number of precautions you are able to take, especially when your blood count is low, to cut back the potential risk of infection or bleeding:
Using this medicine for a long time may increase your chance of developing cancer from the blood (leukemia). Talk to your medical professional in case you have concerns concerning this risk.
This medicine may cause temporary loss of hair in a few people. After treatment ends, normal growth of hair should return, although new hair is often a slightly different color or texture.
Do not take other medicines unless they are discussed with your doctor. 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