Hi again friends,
So I've been on hydroxurea for over a month now 2 /500mg daily
I'm not sure if it's the meds or the mask we have to wear now but I'm starting to experience mouth sores
Is this a side effect of hydrea?
If so any recommendations to help ?
Thank you 😊
Yes it is the Hydroxyurea. I have found taking L Lysine (which is over the counter) and using Orajel Mouth Rinse for mouth sores will help. Hope you feel better soon.
Yes. Mouth sores are one of the more common signs of HU-toxicity.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5....
drugs.com/monograph/hydroxy...
Be sure to let your provider know you are experiencing adverse effects. Depending on your situation, you may need a dose adjustment or consideration of alternative meds. If you do need to continue HU at the current dose, then mouth sores are something you may have to manage. AO Provantage from PerioSciences is a gel that can help.
Hopefully your provider reviewed the safety precautions when using HU. There are a few simple measures to protect others in your household from inadvertent exposure. Wash your hands before and after taking HU. If someone else handles the bottle or caps, they should wear gloves. If you are sexually active, use a condom as HU passes into semen/vaginal secretions. If you are of childbearing years than it is critical to avoid pregnancy as HU is teratogenic (birth defects). These simple measures will protect others from the carcinogenic/mutagenic potential of HU.
Sorry to hear you are experiencing adverse effects so soon after starting. I also experienced mouth ulcers, thrush and what appeared to be leukoplakia (turned my tongue white as snow). Also compromised my intestinal endothelium (constipation). Some people tolerate HU and benefit from it, but not everyone can. Some are HU-intolerant and experience adverse effects even at very low doses. Please do be sure to follow up with your provider and work out a solution you are comfortable with. The good news is that the adverse effects usually resolve when you discontinue or reduce the HU.
All the best to you.
Sound advice as always Hunter... 
Hey Lorid68... 
Yes, that dreaded HU does cause mouth & the odd leg ulcers too, (over time, I believe).
My view, (for what it's worth), see if you can possibly access Pegasys' Interferon instead of HU...
When I was on HU, 3 years or so ago, i also developed mouth ulcers that were so very stubborn to remove, (& to live w/). I found gargling w/ warm salty water & Bi-Carb Soda helped a little... However, the thing that helped me most, was getting off HU...
Best wishes, & hoping that you find something that can work for you too...
Stay safe & well...
Steve
Numerous medications can cause mouth ulcers. I am taking 17 pills a week not had anything major as yet but l understand we all react differently. For myself I swallow the pills immediately drink lots of water. Use a good mouthwash as others have said and l probably am now more manic with dental hygiene especially against oral inflammation. Now see hygienist every 4 months. Stress not to be underestimated can also be a factor.
I get a lot of mouth ulcers since starting hydroxy, my consultant gave me a box of gelclair it’s amazing! Highly recommend, I use it as a mouth wash and sometimes just rub the gel directly onto the ulcer, they disappear within days!
Sorry you are suffering with mouth sores. My team have always asked me to let them know if I am experiencing this .Might be worth phoning haematology to ask to speak to a staff member,
Take care.
It’s early days for you, and hopefully this will just be a transient reaction. If it persists it’s worth a discussion with your healthcare team.
When I first started treatment with hydrea I experienced the occasional mouth ulcer, however, this soon settled as it does for most. Notably, there will always be some who are intolerant to this drug, but the majority tolerate it well.
I would suggest contacting Haemo nurses and telling them of your discomfort-there are other drugs you can take -Anagrelide for instance-(which i take). I couldn't get on with Hydroxea either!
Of course using mouth wash will make you feel more comfortable -but u should contact Haemotology nurses.
Good Luck -stay well-
Ratton 726
Mouth Sores from Pegasys
Hydrea and mouth sores
Mouth Ulcers 
Dry mouth 
bad mouth sore
