Side effects of HU

[kula96]

My platelet count is at 800. Started the HU and got very ill. Nausea… just awful in general. Does this go away?

[hunter5582]

Nausea is a common adverse effect of HU. It might abet, but for many people it does not. Some people, myself included, cannot tolerate HU. (I also had GI issues). Suggest you call your doc ASAP to let them know you are having adverse effects. The good news is that there are other options if you cannot tolerate HU.

Here is a bit of information that might help.

On HU

drugs.com/monograph/hydroxy...

online.epocrates.com/drugs/...

On tx options

mpnjournal.org/how-i-treat-...

legeforeningen.no/contentas...

[nightshadow]

Not much to add to Hunter5582's reply. I hope it abates quickly, or you are put on a different medication.

[DoubleF79]

Hi. Sorry to hear about your nausea. I’ve been on HU for about 4 months & luckily no side effects. I’m on 2 tablets x 4 days and 3 tablets x 3 days. Platelets down from 1600! to 410 😁 so hang in there x

[Ratton726]

I could not tolerate them either - speak to your consultant to change meds.!

[mhos61]

Hopefully this side effect will be short lived. There are alternative meds if it continues to be troublesome.

The time of day you take your HU may help too. If you take it before you go to bed for instance hopefully, you will sleep through any side effects.

[Oscarsboy]

Had a very little nausea feeling initially but it was very short lived. Have been on Hydroxy since August and very thankfully seem to be coping well with very little side effects. I am on 5 days x 500ml and 2 days x 1000 ml. As others have advised if it does not abate seek to have your meds changed. Hope all goes well for you.

[Cokopops]

Hi. It is all a bit frightening isn’t it! I’ve been on Hydroxy twice now. The fist time, I felt awful, nausea, mouth ulcers, itchy all over, hot flushes and just feeling awful. I stopped, on the advise of my haematologist, for a month. I was given an alternative to go on anagrelide but after looking at the side effects of that I decided to give hydroxy another go. So far so good except for peripheral neuropathy that seems to quiet down now..Hang in there, it might settle down. Do speak to your haematologist about it all. Read about the side effects. Good luck and keep positive

[Nettie22]

Hi kula96, I have been on Hydroxy for 2 years now slowly dose has been increased each time I start off feeling a bit iffy but soon adjust to it. Can I ask what time of day you take it I take mine just before I go to bed so sleep off most of any side effects that might happen . Started off at 500 for 3 days now on 500 6 days a week and 1000 for 1 day. But like everyone else has said if it continues speak to your consultant or GP.

Nettie x

[Janis12]

Hi, I suffered some nausea for a couple of weeks when I started on HU but fortunately it went off. The only thing that troubles me now is a little bit of tummy burning on the days I have to take two tablets and mouth ulcers quite frequently but these are not that painful.