Have any of you had the plain white capsules of Hydroxycarbamide instead of the Pink/Green capsules ?
I’ve been taking the pink/green capsules made by Bristol Myers Squibb for several years with increased doses from time to time.
Earlier this year my dose was increased to 3x500mg Friday Saturday Sunday .
My levels were reducing nicely . However at the beginning of November I had to start taking plain white capsules as my regular chemist couldn’t source my usual ones.
I was shocked yesterday when I got the results of my latest blood test as my platelets have shot up since using the white capsules
See graph - has anyone else who’s changed from pink/green to white had this problem
Written by
130396
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi I have been on Hu for many years and have always been on the all white capsules didn't even know that they came in green and white have never had any problems with the white capsulesStay safe have a good Christmas
Hi, my capsules from my surgery's dispensary and from the hospital have all been white theory change being the once when I took my prescription to Boots Chemist. Theirs were 2 coloured - no influence noted on my blood results. I have been taking hydroxycarbamide for 7 years so a lot of wnite capsules!
It appears that others in the UK are taking the white-cap formulation of hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) that you describe. I would suggest reviewing the current forumation with your pharmacist to ensure you know exactly what hydroxycarbamide version you are taking.
Looking at your levels, 468 is not the highest you have been. There has been at least one other spike to 475. Some degree of fluctuation is normal with platelets based on what is going on in the body. Inflammation, injuries, bleeding and other factors can cause reactive thrombocytosis. This is true even when you are taking a cytoreductive medicine.
It is the trend over time that matter more than one lab read; however, your concern is understandable. It appears that you are on a 4-month cycle of doing labs. Suggest that you contact your MPN care team with your concern. It would be prudent to recheck your CBC sooner than 4 months. Suggest that 4 weeks from the last CBC would be reasonable and more informative than the one single read.
Please do let us know how you get on and what you learn.
That explains the concern about the sudden increase. I would certainly suggest following up with the pharmacist and your MPN care team. Best to confirm whether this is just a random blip or a trend. With more information you can make an informed choice about next steps.
I have been interchanging between the green and pink and the white ones with each new prescription 6 weeks at a time this year (only started on HU earlier this year after diagnosis). Can’t say I have noticed any difference that I would put down to either capsule in my platelets? Platelets are fairly settled at the same level on both but during the latest course of the pink and green capsules my white blood cell count has dropped below normal. On a course of the white ones at the moment and due my latest results next week so will see what that brings….albeit not sure/confident that a return to normal will be linked to the capsules or something else?
I started HU last year and most prescriptions have been plain white capsules. On one occasion, the pack was topped up with coloured capsules, pink and grey, presumably because the pharmacy couldn't source enough white ones. My current box is all coloured. I assumed that the only difference is the brand name Hydrea versus generic unbranded hydroxycarbamide. Branded medication usually costs the NHS more than unbranded, so I expect my next batch to be white again. I've never fretted that the drug functions differently.
Hello. I have been on white capsules for 12 years and platelets levels go up and down (it is bound to vary). I just graphed my levels for the last couple of years and got a very similar graph (range 502-389)average = 446 with a slight upward trend. I suggest - don't panic! see what the next report says. It does no harm to keep an eye on this but at these levels......
Strange, my wife has only ever had the white capsules, for over five years now. She gets spikes of over 800, and is prescribed extra because of the spikes, often resulting in dips below 100, within a couple of weeks.
Not now started with flu symptoms first dose but I knew that was going to happen. 2 rough days. Symptoms got less with each dose. Most probably 6 months to go completely.
I've only ever taken white capsules over 6 years with no problem,dispensed from hospital. in the past a blood pressure tablet from different manufacturer did make a difference to how I felt, worth thinking about x
Me too, also on Medac (white capsules) since June so never had any others but when I had a different manufactured hyprtension medication it caused side effects so I have my prescription altered for one specific manufacturer, fingers crossed!
I've always had white capsules of Hydroxycarbamide since starting in August 2020. They're supplied by the hospital and are made in Germany by Medac. I wouldn't read too much into one set of blood results, it could be pure coincidence and dependent on a number of factors. Discuss it with your haematologist at the next opportunity if concerned but I would suggest just keeping track of the data and see what happens. A doctor did tell me that 2 blood samples could be taken 5 minutes apart, analysed on the same equipment yet produce different results so it's not as exact as we probably think it is.
if these are platelets on the graph it’s not a problem. My platelets were jumping around every month since my diagnosis. They can even jump by 60 up or down on. The same day depending on how much water you drink, stress, etc. Sometimes mine would jump around 200+ up or down in a month.
I would wait to check the platelets next month again. I was on Anagrelide. I tried the HU (white) in Austria and had frightening neurological symptoms!! I stopped after two day. Now Besremi. Im 58
I am in the US, and have always taken the pink and green ones for 5 years. If you use a mail order pharmacy, they source them from different places. My Diltiazem changes color from blue to gray. They swear they are the same, just different manufacturers.
Many Chemists vary their colours, I take white due to many Chemicals in shocking pink and bright green, plus, the name of Hydroxy vary....slightly...early days many Chemists could not get White....I use Cayenne Pepper too, this Spice is amazing for Platelets....especially if one has the problem with HIGH PLATELETS....Brought mine down to NORMAL, from 765 to 242....no Blood Thinner Meds could do this....Amazing Spice...plus, opens up ones Arteries, no heart attacks, GOOD LUCK ...
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Skin and Hydroxycarbamide
Hydroxycarbamide 
Hydroxycarbamide
