Hydrea (Hydroxycarbamide)
Hydrea 500 mg Hard Capsules
Hydroxycarbamide
1. What Hydrea Capsules are and what they are used for
The name of your medicine is Hydrea. Each capsule contains hydroxycarbamide as the active ingredient. Hydroxycarbamide belongs to a group of medicines called anti-neoplastic medicines, these medicines interfere with the growth of cancer cells.
Hydrea is used to treat some types of cancer such as cervical cancer and a type of leukaemia called chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). The precise reason why you are being given Hydrea is best discussed with your doctor.
2. Before taking your medicine
Do not take Hydrea Capsules if :
• you have ever had an allergic reaction to any similar medicines or to any of the ingredients in Hydrea
• you have history of any blood problems
• you have any kidney problems
• you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast feeding
• you have ever suffered from gout
• you take any anti-HIV medicines
• you are currently taking any other medicines for cancer treatment, especially interferon therapy
Taking Hydrea with other medicines
Always tell your doctor about other medicines you may be taking or have recently taken including those obtained without a prescription as some medicines can affect each others actions.
It may be necessary to adjust the dose of some medicines if they are taken at the same time as Hydrea.
- Taking Hydrea with food or drink
You should check with your doctor before drinking alcohol to find out if it is advisable for you.
- Driving or operating machinery
It is safe to drive or operate machinery, however, if you feel drowsy or unwell you should not do so until you have discussed it with your doctor.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
You should not take this medicine if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding, unless your doctor recommends it.
In addition, if you are pregnant, planning to be or breastfeeding you should not handle the capsules.
- Important information about some of the ingredients of Hydrea
If you have been told you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicines, as it contains a type of sugar called lactose.
3. Taking your Medicine
You should take your medicine as your doctor has instructed. Your pharmacist may also help if you are not sure.
You may be instructed to take your medicine on either a daily basis or an irregular basis. The usual dose is 20-30mg of Hydrea per kg of your bodyweight once a day or 80 mg per kg of your body weight once every third day.
Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of Hydrea and may be given a lower dose.
You can take this medicine at any time of the day, before or after meals. The capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. However if you find it difficult to swallow them, the contents of the capsule can be emptied into a glass of water and taken immediately. If some of the powder floats on the surface of the water, DON’T WORRY this is just filler from the capsule. DO NOT inhale the contents of the capsules and if you spill any on the skin wipe it immediately.
While you are being treated with Hydrea it is important that you drink plenty of fluids. This will help your kidneys work well.
If you are going to have radiation therapy, this medicine will usually be started 7 days before starting radiation treatment.
You should keep taking your capsules until your doctor tells you to stop.
Your doctor will do regular blood tests whilst you are taking Hydrea.
- If you take more Hydrea than you should
If you take too many capsules you should go to your nearest hospital Casualty Department immediately and take the medicine carton with you.
- If you forget to take a dose
If you forget to take a dose of this medicine DO NOT take the missed dose at all. Take your next dose when it is due, DO NOT take a double dose to make up for the one you have missed.
4. Possible Side Effects
As with all medicines, Hydrea may cause unwanted effects in some people, although not everyone gets them.
If you notice any following symptoms : swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; itching or skin rashes; difficulty breathing, you should stop taking the tablets and tell your doctor immediately as these may be signs of an allergic reaction.
• unexplained shortness of breath or cough with fever
• unexplained fever, chills or sore throat
• skin ulceration, especially with severe infection
• Blood disorders (reduction in white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets)
• lower back pain or pain in your side
• black tarry stools or blood in the stools
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• numbness or tingling of hands or feet
If you notice any of these symptoms you should see your doctor immediately.
Rare Side Effects.(between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 10,000 people) The following side effects have been seen in some people :
• wasting and peeling of the skin and nails
• breathing difficulties
• loss of appetite
• weakness, loss of energy, headache
• drowsiness, dizziness, fits, confusion or hallucinations (seeing hearing or feeling things that are not there)
• skin cancer
• sickness, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain
• sores on the lips or mouth
• difficulty or pain passing urine
• skin problems including rashes, darkening of the skin peeling and purple raised patches of skin and redness following radiation treatment
• temporary hairloss
• kidney problems
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the side effects get serious or if you notice any other side effects not listed in this leaflet. It will help if you make a note of what you experienced, when it started and how long it lasted.
5. How to store your medicine
Do not store your tablets above 25°C
Keep in the outer container in order to protect from moisture.
Please check the expiry date of the product, shown on the carton and blister pack.
Do not use after the month stated.
Keep your medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
If you are told to stop taking this medicine, return any unused tablets to your pharmacist.
6. Further Information
- What Hydrea Contains
Each capsule of Hydrea contains 500 mg hydroxycarbamide as the active ingredient. The other ingredients are citric acid anhydrous, erythrosine (E127), gelatin, indigotine (E132), lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, sodium laurilsulfate, sodium phosphate, titanium dioxide (E171), yellow iron oxide (E172) and opacodeS-1-8100.
- What Hydrea looks like and contents of the pack
Hydrea capsules are pink, opaque capsules with green, opaque caps, and ‘BMS 303′ printed on them in black.
Hydrea capsules are packed in blister packs of 100 capsules.
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