Hydrea (Hydroxyurea)

Description

Hydrea is a medication that is used to treat individuals suffering from sickle cell anemia. This medication is highly useful in reducing the painful crisis that is caused as a result of the medical condition. This reduced level of pain can alleviate the need for blood transfusions.

How It works

Hydrea is an antineoplastic. Thus, it works by the destroying the growth of the affected cells by stopping its reproduction process. This kills the affected cells and thereby ensures that they will not spread to the rest of the body.

Uses

The medication is mainly used to reduce the pain caused by sickle cell anemia. It is also useful in treating a number of cancers such as leukemia, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. When used with radiation therapy, this medication is effective in treating skin cancer too.

Dosage

The dosage of this medication is determined by the physician according to the severity of the condition and your response to the treatment. This medication is usually taken by mouth, with or without food. It is consumed once day on a daily basis. Do not crush or chew the capsule since this medication must be consumed wholly. Being exposed to this medication can increase the risk of side effects to a great extent. Thus, make sure that you do not break the capsule before swallowing it.

If the powder inside the capsule spills, immediately wipe it off with a paper towel and dispose it. Dispose the drug in a plastic bag since breathing the powder can be highly dangerous. Wash your hands after using this medication and make sure that the powder never spills while using the medication.

Side Effects

The following are some side effects of this medication that you may or may not experience during the treatment process.

 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Diarrhea
 Hair loss
 Loss of appetite
 Dizziness
 Constipation
 Shortness of breath
 Confusion

Although you might not experience all of the above symptoms, make sure to keep an eye out for all of them. If you experience any of the above, contact your healthcare provider for immediate medical attention.

Precautions

By following the precautionary methods given below, you will be able to reduce the risk of the above side effects to a great extent.

 Do not change your dosage without informing your physician.

 Do not use this medication on senior citizens since they are more sensitive to its effects.

 Take regular lab tests to ensure that this medication does not harm your reduce your blood cell count.

 Do not use this medication on children since the safety of this drug on children has not been confirmed.

 Inform your physician about your medical history before using this medication.

Self-Care

This medication can be harmful to an unborn baby. Thus, do not get pregnant during this treatment period. If you become unexpectedly pregnant during this period, inform your physician immediately. The same applies to breast feeding too.

Consuming this medication results in temporary dizziness. Thus, do not take part in any activity that requires you to be focused and attentive. For instance, driving or operating after taking your dosage is highly dangerous.