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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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eileen11108 | @eileen11108 | Oct 22 7:33am

Good morning all,
What works for me is to tilt the Hydroxyurea out of the bottle into a second small lid (some buy small paper cups). I have water swirled already in my mouth, tilt the capsule in, and swallow. I follow up with a full glass of water…i never get mouth sores.
Eileen

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nohrt4me | @nohrt4me | Oct 22 8:26am

70 yo, ET-CALR x 15 years. Have been on HU x 6 years (500 mg per day plus extra on M-W-F). Doc calls this a low dose.

Had the proverbial "cast iron stomach" as a young person and could eat anything. Alas, those days are over, and I have some acid reflux, low level nausea, and trouble w gas and constipation. Oncologist suggested probiotic, and it has helped quite a bit. My spleen wasn't enlarged last check, but I do have some early satiety, so I eat smaller meals thru out the day.

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arecchie | @arecchie | Oct 22 12:13pm
In reply to @bluegrasspv2018 "I joined the PV club in 2018. I have been taking the "Hydra" for almost 6..." + (show)
@bluegrasspv2018

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.

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Very helpful! Thanks for chiming in.

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Rhonda Gregory | @rjgregory440 | Oct 23 11:40am
In reply to @arecchie "Thank you for this. I've just been on Hydrea for two weeks. How long before the..." + (show)
@arecchie

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.

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Chances of Hydrea side effects are low for most of us due to the low dosage needed to regulate our blood. However, some of us do have negative reactions. Hair loss is NOT a side effect of the medication in the dosage we need, but can be caused by stress and/or is age related (since most of us are upwards of 60). The mouth sores, which are a reported side effect, can be alleviated with proper hydration.

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1 reply
arecchie | @arecchie | Oct 23 11:53am
In reply to @rjgregory440 "Chances of Hydrea side effects are low for most of us due to the low dosage..." + (show)
@rjgregory440

Chances of Hydrea side effects are low for most of us due to the low dosage needed to regulate our blood. However, some of us do have negative reactions. Hair loss is NOT a side effect of the medication in the dosage we need, but can be caused by stress and/or is age related (since most of us are upwards of 60). The mouth sores, which are a reported side effect, can be alleviated with proper hydration.

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Thanks so much for the encouraging news.

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pesterthief | @pesterthief | Oct 27 9:22pm

I just started taking this 4 days ago, I take it in the evening at 6:30, after I've had something to eat. So far so good

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pesterthief | @pesterthief | Oct 28 6:56pm

Has anybody had any eye issues with?myelofibrosi?

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1 reply
suanne90 | @suanne90 | Nov 1 11:58am
In reply to @debhammel "I take two 500 mg capsules 4 days a week - one with breakfast and one..." + (show)
@debhammel

I take two 500 mg capsules 4 days a week - one with breakfast and one with dinner. I like taking medications with food whenever possible as I believe it mitigates possible stomach-related side effects. Regardless, it works for me and my hematologist-oncologist is fine with it.

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May I ask why you're taking this medication for? What is your diagnosis?

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suanne90 | @suanne90 | Nov 1 12:02pm
In reply to @djab "Very interesting, I get short of breath alot" + (show)
@djab

Very interesting, I get short of breath alot

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may i ask what everyone's diagnosis is as to why you're taking the hydroxyurea

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Nov 1 1:28pm
In reply to @suanne90 "may i ask what everyone's diagnosis is as to why you're taking the hydroxyurea" + (show)
@suanne90

may i ask what everyone's diagnosis is as to why you're taking the hydroxyurea

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Hi @suanne90. You’ve popped into a conversation in the Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group. The members in this discussion are all taking a medication called Hydroxyurea, or Hydroxy, or HU. It’s often used as a frontline medication to treat the over production of certain blood cells in blood cancers or bone marrow conditions such as polycythemia vera-over production of red blood cells or essential thrombocythemia where there may be an over production of platelets. HU also has other applications for different blood cancers.

Welcome to Mayo Connect. May I ask what brought you to the forum today?

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