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Hydroxyurea

Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

This medication is used to treat head and neck cancer as well as certain blood cancer.
It may also be used to treat other conditions.

How should I take/use this medication?

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Hydroxyurea may be taken with or without food.
While you are taking this medication, your doctor may want you to drink extra fluids so that you will pass more urine. This will help prevent kidney problems.
If possible, handle the medication yourself. If you need a family member or caregiver to give the medication, ensure that they wash their hands before and after handling the medication.
Do not break, crush or open up the capsules. Inform your physician/pharmacist if you have difficulties swallowing them whole.
Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should not handle this medication.

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if you:

Are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
Have liver or kidney disease; blood disorders (e.g., anaemia); history of gout; leg ulcers; infections; or previously had radiotherapy or chemotherapy; are currently receiving cancer treatment.

You must not become pregnant during treatment with Hydroxyurea and must use an effective method of contraception. You should take appropriate contraceptive measures during and up to 6 months after stopping Hydoxyurea. If pregnancy occurs during your treatment, you must inform your doctor immediately.
Hydroxyurea may have an anti-fertility effect, which could be irreversible. You should discuss with your doctor regarding fertility preservation before starting this medication.
You should not breastfeed during treatment.
Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with hydroxyurea to monitor progress and side effects.

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

Certain side effects of this medication are not unusual and may even disappear during treatment. If any of the following effects persist or are severe, consult your doctor.

Side effect	Management
Nausea or vomiting	Take small frequent meals. Avoid smells that trigger nausea. Avoid tight-fitting clothes around the waist. Take medications for nausea or vomiting as prescribed by your doctor (if any).
Drowsiness, dizziness, feeling weak	Do not drive or operate machinery if you are feeling tired or drowsy.
Headache	Mild headache may be relieved by taking Paracetamol (if not allergic to Paracetamol). Inform your doctor if headache is not well controlled with Paracetamol.
Mouth sores and ulcers	Brush your teeth gently after eating and at bedtime with soft toothbrush. Rinse and brush your dentures after eating and soak them in denture solution overnight. Rinsing your mouth regularly with an alcohol-free mouth gargle or salt water may help reduce chances of infection.
Hair loss	Use gentle shampoo and soft hairbrush.
Joint or back pain, pain in arms or legs	Mild pain may be relieved by taking Paracetamol (if not allergic to Paracetamol). Inform your doctor if pain is not well controlled with Paracetamol.
Dry skin	Apply moisturizer regularly to prevent dry skin.
Brittle, darker or discoloured nails	When washing dishes or in contact with detergents, wearing gloves will help protect your nails during treatment. If you experience worsening pain, redness or swelling around your nails or skin, inform your doctor.
Risk of infection	To reduce risk of infection, Wash your hands after toileting. Avoid crowds and people who are sick. Avoid raw food.
Risk of bruising and bleeding	To reduce risk of bleeding, Brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush. Be careful not to cut yourself when using sharp objects. Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury could occur.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The following side effects may rarely occur. Consult your doctor as soon as possible if have any of the following:

Allergic reaction

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Symptoms of infection:

Fever with temperature of 38 °C and above
Chills and shivering
Cough
Severe sore throat
Sores in mouth or on lips
Pain when passing urine

Unusual bleeding and bruising e.g., passing large amount of fresh blood in urine or stools, or passing black sticky stools, or significant bruising
Dark lips or urine, yellow skin or eyes, passing out, confusion, tiredness or weak, pale skin, shortness of breath
Change in mole size or color, skin lump
Swollen arms or legs
Seizures
Loss of consciousness

Long term use of this medication may increase the risk of leukemia and skin cancer. Your doctor will monitor you for this. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when you are outdoors.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take this medication?

Inform your doctor if you:

Are taking any medications that can affect immune system.
Are taking supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
Are going for immunizations (vaccinations) as Hydroxyurea may either increase the risk of an infection or reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Pack the medication into a bag and bring it back to the pharmacy where you received the medication from.

Disclaimers

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Oct 2022

This article was last reviewed on Tuesday, February 27, 2024