Hydroxyurea medac
Hydroxyurea medac is a medicine used to treat certain blood conditions, including types of blood cancer, by slowing down the growth of unhealthy cells.
Form
kapseli, kova
Strength
500 mg
Active Ingredient
Hydroxyurea
Manufacturer
Medac Gesellschaft Für Klinische Spezialpräparate mbH
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your exact dose based on your body weight and blood tests. For chronic myeloid leukemia, it's typically 40 mg per kg of body weight daily. For polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia, it's typically 15-20 mg per kg of body weight daily.
Method
Swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not break or chew them. Handle capsules carefully; wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after touching them. Pregnant women should avoid handling the capsules.
Important
Your doctor will determine your maximum daily dose based on your individual condition and blood tests.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Very low sperm count or no sperm (men).
- •Low blood cell counts (white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets), which can make you tired or prone to infections and bleeding.
- •Feeling sick, vomiting, loss of appetite, mouth sores, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, inflammation of mucous membranes, indigestion.
- •Black, tar-like stools or blood in stools.
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), with abdominal pain (when taken with certain HIV medicines).
- •Drug-induced fever, chills, discomfort, weakness, fatigue.
- •Skin sores, especially leg ulcers.
- •Skin rashes with spots and blisters, facial redness, redness on hands and feet (hand-foot syndrome).
- •Skin changes like purple rash, thinning skin, darkening and wasting of skin and nails, itching, small purple skin bumps, peeling skin, skin discoloration and death.
- •Hair loss.
- •Temporary kidney problems, with higher levels of uric acid, urea, and creatinine in blood tests.
- •Difficulty urinating.
RARE
- •High fever (>39°C) with problems in the stomach, lungs, muscles, liver, skin, or heart within 6 weeks of taking Hydroxyurea medac.
- •Enlarged immature red blood cells.
- •Skin cancer.
- •High liver enzyme levels.
- •Liver inflammation (hepatitis) causing flu-like symptoms, yellow skin/eyes.
- •Problems with bile flow (cholestasis), causing itching, yellow skin, dark urine, or pale stools.
- •Nervous system problems like headache, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures.
- •Lung problems (acute and chronic lung reactions) with changes visible on X-rays, shortness of breath, fever, and dry cough.
- •Numbness, tingling, or pain in arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy), stomach pain, feeling sick, vomiting, or yellow skin (hepatotoxicity) when taken with certain HIV medicines.
- •Thick, scaly patches on the skin (actinic keratosis).
- •High levels of a red blood cell breakdown product (bilirubin) in the blood.
- •Allergic reactions.
- •Metabolic complications due to breakdown of cancer cells (tumor lysis syndrome).
- •Skin ulceration with severe infection.
- •Skin inflammation causing red, scaly patches, possibly with joint pain.
- •Reduced kidney function.
- •High blood potassium levels, which can cause abnormal heart rhythm.
- •Fever, cough, breathing difficulties; these may be signs of a serious lung disease or allergic inflammation in the lungs.
- •Hemolytic anemia (a condition where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are made).
- •Dry skin.
- •Low blood sodium levels, which can cause tiredness, confusion, muscle twitching, seizures, or coma.
Important Warnings
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to hydroxycarbamide or any other ingredients in the medicine.
- Do not take this medicine if your blood cell counts are too low.
- You will need regular blood tests before and during treatment to check your blood cell counts and kidney and liver function.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had gout or a lack of folic acid.
- If you have anemia before or during treatment, your doctor may give you red blood cell transfusions or stop the medicine.
Show 7 more warnings
- Drink plenty of fluids during treatment.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems.
- Long-term use may increase the risk of skin cancer. Protect your skin from the sun and check your skin regularly for any changes.
- This medicine may cause leg ulcers. Tell your doctor if you develop them.
- This medicine may affect your ability to drive or use machines. Be careful if you feel drowsy or less alert.
- Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, unless specifically advised by your doctor. Use effective contraception during and for six months after treatment.
- This medicine contains lactose and very little sodium. Tell your doctor if you have an intolerance to some sugars or are on a low-sodium diet.