Problems with hydrea?

[janwh]

The last dose of medication my pharmacist gave me was an American produced hydrea, not the the British produced hydroxicarbamide I’ve been taking since I was diagnosed 5 years ago. For the last three months I’ve felt very unwell, and my blood test results have been erratic. I got my new dose of meds just over two weeks ago (back to my usual hydroxicarbamide) and within days began to feel better. I hadn’t made the connection with the change in medication until then. Has anyone else noticed this? And who should I tell? Tried to tell the receptionist at my GP surgery, but her reaction was that as I’m feeling better now nothing needs to be done. Hydrea is meant to be the same as hydroxicarbamide, just named differently, but clearly that batch was NOT the same. I really feel I should alert someone, but I’m not sure who. Unfortunately I didn’t keep the packaging as I didn’t realise there was a problem with it. I am going to talk to the pharmacist who dispensed it, and to my consultant at my next appointment, but is that enough?

[piggie50]

Hi janwh,

I have never had a different brand, but I do know of people on other medications saying that there are differences in brands. My 4 year old grandson was born with a thyroid problem and has been on thyroxine medication from 10 days old. He had a different brand once and suffered quite noticeable sleep disturbance. My daughter now requests that the prescription from the gp states a specific brand and she also checks with the pharmacy every time she puts the prescription in.

[Ginnyhelen]

I had a very similar problem. I spoke to the pharmacist where I usually get my prescriptions and he advised that my GP needed to state Hydrea on the prescription not just Hydroxycarbamide. The pharmacist sorted it all out for me and now I never have a problem.

Hope that helps. Best wishes.

[Ginnyhelen]

Sorry-should have said I had the reverse problem to you. Couldn't tolerate generic Hydroxycarbamide but fine on Hydrea!

[millycat]

I've had problems with different brands before , after years of taking the pink and grey ones I was switched to white ones, I guess they are cheaper! I then suffered with terrible itching for ages . Then I was given the original ones again and the itching stopped. I hadn't considered different brands as a possible cause either.

[Helpatlast]

Likewise I had that problem been on HU for 13 years the majority of the time it's been Hydrea which I find fine but did have a patch some years ago when the chemist couldn't get them and I had the little white capsules and felt quite unwell - guess we are all different but it's good to flag it up with your pharmacist.

[Mufftreacs]

Hi Janwh,

I have been taking Squibb Hydrea (Hydroxycarbamide) for 12 years. During that time, my platelets have fluctuated. When I picked up my prescription some years ago, I noticed the capsules were white rather than the bright pink and blue ones. I began to get really bad heart palpitations after a few days.

To cut a long story short, there is something different in these generic capsules which does not suit me. The consultant always has to write a warning note on the prescriptions.

Twice recently, the chemist as not read the script correctly and has given me the generic ones. Fortunately, I have insisted on opening the bag at the counter and rectified the problem before I got them home.

I think the generic version are cheaper but they certainly do not work for me.

Hope that helps and you can sort the problem out.

Best wishes

Kate