HYDROXYUREA

Hi everyone ... looks like I have to start the hydroxyurea... has anyone had nausea and vomiting at first ???? 🤢🤢

[Dovme]

Hi

I have been on it six weeks now so newbie

No side effects yet and no nausea

[Smile2]

I have been on it for two days. Fairly significant nauseaand headache the first evening, and some nausea the next day. Much better the next day. Some loss of appetite though. But it’s still early for both of us. 🙂

[Ebot]

I was absolutely fine. The overwhelming majority of people are. The only responses were positive - my numbers started tumbling and I felt so much better.

(To be honest I was so anxious about having to take it that I was hyper sensitive to any potential response. I think any minor ‘reactions’ like tiredness in the first day or so were more to do with the anxiety than the drug.)

[Fernsong]

Hi Keiks,

I've been on Hydrea (same thing, I think) for about four months now. I felt nauseous and had stomach ache to begin with and had to make sure I took each capsule after food and with two large glasses of water. That eased those side effects a lot. Hardly any stomach ache now and very little nausea. I've had a few other side effects, but nothing alarming.

My platelet levels tumbled consistently until just recently. They now seem to be wavering just above 400.

We're all in the same boat and here to support each other. Courage, Keiks and stay well.

[elliebongo]

Hi I'm new to this as well. The thought of going on hydrea put me through 3-4 weeks of uncertainty. But knowing (from mpn voice) there are a few of us out there. I just got on with it and thankfully up to now nothing has changed. A couple of little glitches but only for a few days.

Going for first check on 28th so hopefully platelets have gone down.

Wish you all the best

EllieB

[beetle]

Many years ago when I started Hydrea I was nauseous but no vomiting. I found wrist bands intended for travel sickness quite helpful. The nausea did not last more than a few weeks if I remember correctly. Best wishes. Jan

[Smile2 in reply to beetle]

Thanks so much for that tip- going to try it.

[Bluetop]

Hi, I have been taking hydroxy for 4 years now. Thankfully no sickness or other side effects. I did seem to develop bone pain in my legs but I upped my water intake and haven't be bothered since. However, I do take very great care with the sun.

[Bridie123]

You need to drink plenty of water and don't take them on an empty tummy 🤗

[mhos61]

I’ve been on hydrea for four years. I can honestly say I’ve had no issues. Indeed, it has been all positive.

[hunter5582]

Nausea and vomiting are one of the common side effects of hydroxyurea. Be sure to let your doc know that you are experiencing it. You may need a dose adjustment. Others have suggested some things that will help with nausea. If you find you cannot adjust to the HU (some of us are HU-intolerant) there are other options that are less toxic. Sometimes docs do not give all of the information about the drug when prescribing, so here are a couple of the better monographs about HU.

drugs.com/monograph/hydroxy...

online.epocrates.com/drugs/...

It is important to understand how this or any medication works. HU interferes with DNA activity in hemapoietic stem cells, slowing down the production of all blood cells. It also interferes with DNA activity in other cells in your body. That is why people experience some of the side effects that are so common with HU. HU can break allele strands and interferes with DNA self-repair. Since it is teratogenic avoiding pregnancy is critical. Since it is mutagenic and carcinogenic, protecting others in your household from exposure is important. This is particularly important if you are sexually active. Hopefully your doc reviewed all this with you and you are aware of the precautions. Despite the potential risks, some people do find that HU is more benefit than adverse effect. Hopefully that will be the case for you too. If not, there are other options that may provide greater benefit with lower risk.

All the best to you. Hope you are feeling better soon.

[bjay22]

No side effects for me and I have been on a few years. Also recently had my dosage doubled and still no side effects at all. Thank goodness.

[Island-Lady]

I take it every third day and was very concerned about having a negative response to it but I have been fine. I initially took it every other day and did not have any trouble then either. I make sure I get plenty of exercise every day because I think that this helps(if nothing else it certainly helps the emotional body😊) I wish you the best in your results. I do take the capsule with food with my biggest meal which is dinner.

[Hidden in reply to Island-Lady]

Hi Octopedes.....I still have questions for my hematologist... but I didn’t know you can take it every other day or so .... is that your choice or your doc???

[Island-Lady in reply to Hidden]

That was my choice. I started taking it when my platelets were in the 900,000s but I did not have any noticeable symptoms and was very reluctant to start a medication. I am fine if my platelets continue to go down slowly. Definitely talk to your hematologist. I started out with every other day but felt a little bit tired and so after stopping it for a while and having my platelets increase Toa million I choose to try every third day. I will reevaluate if my platelets increase. When I took it every other day my platelets decreased more rapidly.

[Hidden in reply to Island-Lady]

Oh ok ... great information !! I will definitely talk to my hematologist!! Thanks!!!

[Smile2]

Hi. So my initial post to can be updated - nausea continues and, if anything, getting worse. However, I looked through the posts on nausea and it seem drinking lots of water with it helps. I would guess that would help with mouth sores as well. So going to give that a try.

Good luck, Keiks! Keep me posted!

[CooperS1]

I was diagnosed ET Jak2+ a year ago and began taking aspirin and Hydroxycarbamide (initially one 500 mg per day) and was prescribed another med (Forget the name) straight away to combat any nausea, if I needed it, mainly as I was due to go on holiday only two weeks later! I didn’t have, and still don’t have, any nausea and now take one additional Hydroxycarbamide per week to keep platelet count down in the normal range. Also, I take my hydroxycarbamide first thing in the morning, with a good glass of water and it doesn’t give me any side effects. So I think it’s a case of try it and see, as everyone is different. Good luck with everything. Take care and keep well.

[Hidden in reply to CooperS1]

Hi CooperS1 ... thanks so so so much for your reply !!! That bottle of hydroxyurea on my counter is starting to look a lot less scary!! Thank you!!! You keep well and be safe !

[Doggy1903]

Good morning, its a scary idea taking chemo at first .I can support you and say I have been taking this medication for 2 and a quarter years. So far so good no nausea.

I try to eat well and have regular meals, plenty of fluid and so far so good. Really hope this helps you and reduces platelets well.