1. < Blood Cancers & Disorders

Any suggestions on what time of day is best for taking Hydroxyurea?

Posted by cdurbin @cdurbin, Jan 29 9:00am

What time of day has worked best for everyone taking hydroxyurea? Neither my doctor or pharmacy suggested a time of day that helps with any possible side effects. I'm supposed to start taking it this week. Google searches say before or after food or at bed time.

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jackiecarey | @jackiecarey | Sep 29 12:35pm
In reply to @rjgregory440 "I was told to take my hydrea with plenty of water. If I do that at..." + (show)
@rjgregory440

I was told to take my hydrea with plenty of water. If I do that at night, I wake up more often for the bathroom (sometimes happens when we are older) so I switched to morning with my breakfast. Have had no problems inthe last three years.

Jump to this post

I was told by my pharmacist and hematologist that it didn't matter when I take the hydrea. My first problem was getting the Hydrea dose right for me which took a bit of time. Then I started experimenting on the time of day that worked for me. I found around 6pm with or without food with 2 glasses of water back to back worked well. No more stomach discomfort and maybe it was part attitude because by this time I had quit feeling sorry for myself..Now I take the hydra without gagging and it doesn't bother me to take it, I take my baby asa at the same time without giving it much thought. Please ask all the questions your pondering..I found so many wonderful tips on this site and it reminds us
we're not alone in this journey.

REPLY
1 reply
arecchie | @arecchie | Oct 20 6:43pm

I take 500 mg. of Hydrea per day. Take it at bedtime with a cracker or some kind of snack so you have food in your body to accompany it. Drink a glass of water with it. VERY IMPORTANT

Get Lactobacillus Acidophilus from Amazon or your local Walmart, or where OTC drugs are found. It's about 9 dollars per bottle of 120. I take it regularly.

IMPORTANT: This is great for when you have ulcerations in the mouth and are struggling to get rid of or ward them off. Take 4 capsules, 3 X PER DAY WITH any kind of MILK. It needs the milk to help it culture properly for this specific purpose.

You will have relief in under 24 hours and continue to take them. It will not interfere with the Hydrea you are taking, but it will at least help you cope with one of the side effects of the drug. Every time my tongue starts tingling, I rush and take 4 with milk and do that 2 more times during that day. Stops them in their tracks.

I take at least 4 capsules per day with milk every day - even with no symptoms.

Good luck.

Best of luck to you.

REPLY
2 replies
janetbender | @janetbender | Oct 21 6:35am

I’ve been on 500 mg daily for 14 months.
I tried diff times of the day and settled on dinner time.
After 8 mo I finally adjusted to the side effects and take it late morning.

I see suggested remedies and hope something works for you - but please check with your doctor before trying anything.
My doc had me add D3, iron, and magnesium. And electrolyte sugar free, chemical free powder from Amazon. Everything depends on your bloodwork!

REPLY
et1055 | @et1055 | Oct 21 10:39am
In reply to @arecchie "I take 500 mg. of Hydrea per day. Take it at bedtime with a cracker or..." + (show)
@arecchie

I take 500 mg. of Hydrea per day. Take it at bedtime with a cracker or some kind of snack so you have food in your body to accompany it. Drink a glass of water with it. VERY IMPORTANT

Get Lactobacillus Acidophilus from Amazon or your local Walmart, or where OTC drugs are found. It's about 9 dollars per bottle of 120. I take it regularly.

IMPORTANT: This is great for when you have ulcerations in the mouth and are struggling to get rid of or ward them off. Take 4 capsules, 3 X PER DAY WITH any kind of MILK. It needs the milk to help it culture properly for this specific purpose.

You will have relief in under 24 hours and continue to take them. It will not interfere with the Hydrea you are taking, but it will at least help you cope with one of the side effects of the drug. Every time my tongue starts tingling, I rush and take 4 with milk and do that 2 more times during that day. Stops them in their tracks.

I take at least 4 capsules per day with milk every day - even with no symptoms.

Good luck.

Best of luck to you.

Jump to this post

Thank you for the tip about mouth sores. My tongue is sore a lot. I did not know it was from the HU. I don’t drink milk so is there another alternative?

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 21 11:34am
In reply to @arecchie "I take 500 mg. of Hydrea per day. Take it at bedtime with a cracker or..." + (show)
@arecchie

I take 500 mg. of Hydrea per day. Take it at bedtime with a cracker or some kind of snack so you have food in your body to accompany it. Drink a glass of water with it. VERY IMPORTANT

Get Lactobacillus Acidophilus from Amazon or your local Walmart, or where OTC drugs are found. It's about 9 dollars per bottle of 120. I take it regularly.

IMPORTANT: This is great for when you have ulcerations in the mouth and are struggling to get rid of or ward them off. Take 4 capsules, 3 X PER DAY WITH any kind of MILK. It needs the milk to help it culture properly for this specific purpose.

You will have relief in under 24 hours and continue to take them. It will not interfere with the Hydrea you are taking, but it will at least help you cope with one of the side effects of the drug. Every time my tongue starts tingling, I rush and take 4 with milk and do that 2 more times during that day. Stops them in their tracks.

I take at least 4 capsules per day with milk every day - even with no symptoms.

Good luck.

Best of luck to you.

Jump to this post

@arecchie, welcome. I'm glad that you found something that works for you. I see you are a new member, so I'd like to point you to the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/)

Guideline number 1 encourages members to share what works for them, but to refrain from telling other people what they should do. Probiotics come in many different strains, doses and vary in quality. Here's a helpful guide:
- An introduction to probiotics https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/an-introduction-to-probiotics
- How to choose a probiotic https://store.mayoclinic.com/education/probiotics-for-digestive-well-being/

As @janetbender points out, one should always check with their doctor before starting supplements and get a recommendation on what may or may not be right for you. And for @et1055, milk may not be an option. All this to say, everyone is different. Tips are welcome. Be sure they are right for you. Experiences and information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

Back to you @arecchie. What do you find is the benefit of taking Hydrea at night? Was a probiotic suggested for you to help control mouth sores?

REPLY
2 replies
arecchie | @arecchie | Oct 21 2:39pm
In reply to @et1055 "Thank you for the tip about mouth sores. My tongue is sore a lot. I did..." + (show)
@et1055

Thank you for the tip about mouth sores. My tongue is sore a lot. I did not know it was from the HU. I don’t drink milk so is there another alternative?

Jump to this post

I just looked this up online.

You can take it with food or water. DO NOT take it with any HOT drink, because that will destroy the function of it.

Also, if you are on antibiotics, take it at least two hours before or after your antibiotics, because the antibiotics would kill the good bacteria in the Acidophilus.

Check with your doctor before taking it, but several patients I know take it and it does a world of good for them. Good luck.

REPLY
arecchie | @arecchie | Oct 21 2:43pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@arecchie, welcome. I'm glad that you found something that works for you. I see you are..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@arecchie, welcome. I'm glad that you found something that works for you. I see you are a new member, so I'd like to point you to the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/)

Guideline number 1 encourages members to share what works for them, but to refrain from telling other people what they should do. Probiotics come in many different strains, doses and vary in quality. Here's a helpful guide:
- An introduction to probiotics https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/an-introduction-to-probiotics
- How to choose a probiotic https://store.mayoclinic.com/education/probiotics-for-digestive-well-being/

As @janetbender points out, one should always check with their doctor before starting supplements and get a recommendation on what may or may not be right for you. And for @et1055, milk may not be an option. All this to say, everyone is different. Tips are welcome. Be sure they are right for you. Experiences and information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

Back to you @arecchie. What do you find is the benefit of taking Hydrea at night? Was a probiotic suggested for you to help control mouth sores?

Jump to this post

Yes, a probiotic was suggested for me by the doctor to help ward off the ulcerations or lessen the severity of them.

Taking Hydrea at night helps me sleep through whatever short-term immediate side effects I might have if taking it in the morning or afternoon.

REPLY
arecchie | @arecchie | Oct 21 2:58pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@arecchie, welcome. I'm glad that you found something that works for you. I see you are..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@arecchie, welcome. I'm glad that you found something that works for you. I see you are a new member, so I'd like to point you to the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/)

Guideline number 1 encourages members to share what works for them, but to refrain from telling other people what they should do. Probiotics come in many different strains, doses and vary in quality. Here's a helpful guide:
- An introduction to probiotics https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/an-introduction-to-probiotics
- How to choose a probiotic https://store.mayoclinic.com/education/probiotics-for-digestive-well-being/

As @janetbender points out, one should always check with their doctor before starting supplements and get a recommendation on what may or may not be right for you. And for @et1055, milk may not be an option. All this to say, everyone is different. Tips are welcome. Be sure they are right for you. Experiences and information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

Back to you @arecchie. What do you find is the benefit of taking Hydrea at night? Was a probiotic suggested for you to help control mouth sores?

Jump to this post

Thanks for the feedback, Colleen. Much appreciated!

REPLY
arecchie | @arecchie | Oct 21 3:03pm
In reply to @jackiecarey "I was told by my pharmacist and hematologist that it didn't matter when I take the..." + (show)
@jackiecarey

I was told by my pharmacist and hematologist that it didn't matter when I take the hydrea. My first problem was getting the Hydrea dose right for me which took a bit of time. Then I started experimenting on the time of day that worked for me. I found around 6pm with or without food with 2 glasses of water back to back worked well. No more stomach discomfort and maybe it was part attitude because by this time I had quit feeling sorry for myself..Now I take the hydra without gagging and it doesn't bother me to take it, I take my baby asa at the same time without giving it much thought. Please ask all the questions your pondering..I found so many wonderful tips on this site and it reminds us
we're not alone in this journey.

Jump to this post

Thank you for this. I've just been on Hydrea for two weeks. How long before the symptoms start - ulcerations in the mouth, hair loss, and pain in various parts of the body (if any).

So far, it's just tingling on the tongue, and I take Acidophilus for that so that it doesn't get out of hand. Any info you have would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

REPLY
1 reply
bluegrasspv2018 | @bluegrasspv2018 | Oct 22 5:05am

I joined the PV club in 2018. I have been taking the "Hydra" for almost 6 years now. I started at 500 mg 2 times a day. My platelets are under control now (in the 277 range). I now take 500 mg once a day. I have taken it in the morning, I have taken it at later at night. I see no difference in the times. No matter when I take it, I get the ususal fatigue in the late afternoon and must go to sleep by 9pm. This makes it difficult to stay up late watching scary Halloween movies. I don't have many symptoms other than that. Hope my humble opinion will help. From Kentucky, where the bluegrass feels good under your barefeet.

REPLY
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