Anagrelide vs hydrea

[VTAR24]

Does anyone know much about Anagrelide as its one of my treatment options as well as hydrea met with consultant yesterday and these are options she gave me and some info to read the difference between the two I am drawn to the Anagrelide seems to be less side effects but again I know everyone is different so will have to start either of these in 2 weeks time just wondering on anyone's view on these again tks to all

[ETket]

I've been on hydroxycarbamide on its own and in combination with anagrelide. I found that I had far more side effects with the anagrelide (twice daily heart palpitations) than the hydroxycarbamide, which I've tolerated pretty well for nearly ten years (although it's now a lot less effective than it was). Presumably though, everyone reacts differently...

[Mishie14]

I tried both at the start of my ET journey. The drugs are very different in how they work and at what cost to you quality if life. HU was horrible due to immediate negative side effects. It did reduce platelets quickly but I was so sick. Tried anagrelide which was good at the start. It controlled platelets though slower and no side effects until the dose was increased. At 4 mg heart palpitations and fast beats started. Had to wear a heart monitor for 4 days to record it. Had to stop taking it. A month later after no treatment I started peginterferon. Low dose 45 weekly for 6 months was good time to adjust and feel comfortable taking it. Platelets very slowly trended down. Went to 68 weekly and then to 90 which is current state. Milk thistle has worked well to keep liver enzymes in normal range. I had some side effects of mild nausea and headache on day after injection. That stopped after just a few weeks. I feel pretty good most days. Still have fatigue and occasional bone and joint pain. That has been common across all 3 drugs. Yes, we react differently. You may have to go through trial and error as I did to see what works best for you. Good luck.

[Windy51]

hi I was on Hydrea went off it too many side affects I am on Anagrelide I have been for 15 months I take three a day I spread them out over the day they give a bit of pulpertations but not too bad my platelets have gone down too 263 I was on 860 these tablets have helped I also get a little bit nauseous of a morning drink plenty of water and my hair isn’t falling out yet , with Hydra my hair was falling out . Good luck

[sewingchick]

I was on Hydrea for 12 years . Later moved to Anagrelide and had serious heart palpitations. Now I have Mylofibrosis and am doing well on Jakafi (Rux)

[Smf1003]

Hi I was on Hydroxy for 8 years at the start no side effects but at the end of the treatment it was terrible. Tried a couple of other options then onto Anagrelide. Platelets when up to 1000 now after 12 months on Anagrelide they are 278 the lowest they have ever been. It works for me and I feel better than for a long time. Worth a try as it may work gor you.

[Windy51 in reply to Smf1003]

same as me good luck hope it continues

[Smf1003 in reply to Windy51]

Thank you for your comments hope it's going well for you as well

[CraftySpider]

Hello,I have primary MF and was taking various doses of HU over 20 years..switched to Anagrelide 15 months ago, to see if the side effects would lessen. Started on 1 tablet per day..heart flutters for first couple of weeks, but ok. Over next few months platelet counts going up so gradually increased to 4 tablets per day, this dose made me breathless and was losing hair faster than on HU. Now back to 2 x 0.5 mg tablets per day which seems tolerable, although platelets still at 550, whereas always in the 400’s on HU.

It is a difficult choice, my haematologist thinks that Anagrelide is a better drug !

[Gaithersburg]

Hi, I was on hydroxyurea for less than a year and then stopped as I was deemed too young and healthy for a long time. Then, as I grew older and my clotting risk increased, I chose Anagrelide as it was the new drug at the time which had just completed it's clinical trials. I have been taking Anagrelide now for 13 years and take 2 in the morning and 1 at night. I really haven't had any side effects so I will continue on this until it doesn't work any longer for me or something that suits me better becomes available. Good luck with whatever you choose. It's a bit of a gamble as we're all different and react different but there are now many more medication options out there than when I was diagnosed 31 years ago!

[George1976]

Was on anagrelide for two years at the start of my ET. Back in 2014. The palpitations were hard to deal with. It also caused gastro issues.

Then after 4 years of Peg moved to HU. Was next logical choice 3 years ago for me. Was also recommended by top MPN specialist at Mayo Clinic. As he put it, HU is the most tried and true of all the MPN meds since it’s been around for the longest time. Not to say people can’t have issues with it. It may not agree with you. I’ve tried Peg and Rux too and they didn’t agree with me.

[amhann]

hello VTAR24 - I changed to Anagrelide earlier this year after having some problems with hydroxy and the fact it dragged all my blood counts down (I also have lymphoma and wanted a true picture of other counts as a ‘heads up’ for any progression) I have no issues with palpitations, only some gastric issues which eased after lowering the dose. I’m happy it only reduces platelets and other counts now in normal range. Good luck with what you decide to try - do some research + I would just say I insisted on a cardio check before I changed. Very best Anne-Marie.