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

Posted by cdurbin @cdurbin, Jan 29, 2024

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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janemc | @janemc | Feb 12 5:35am

My two cents: never take HU on an empty stomach.

And to share nohrt4me's mantra: Drink water. Drink LOTS of water every day.

Water helps your body process the HU, and also counters the constipating effect HU can have on some of us.

beebo | @beebo | Feb 12 11:54pm

I’m on 500mg 2x/day. I have mine about an hour after breakfast and an hour after dinner. On it 4 years and have had no issues with it since I started.

1995victoria | @1995victoria | Feb 13 8:08am

I take mine about 2 hours after supper (and 3 hrs before bedtime), and after swallowing, I take either some yogurt or a piece of cheese,,,,,,this is just my routine, Dr or NP never told me when or how to take it, other than I should take both caps at same time (more or less) every day

betty82 | @betty82 | Feb 13 3:49pm

In reply to @1995victoria "I take mine about 2 hours after supper (and 3 hrs before bedtime), and after swallowing,..." + (show)

@1995victoria
I have been taking my medicine 500 mg my Dr said to take them at night. He didn’t say anything about taking with food.

christinele | @christinele | Feb 14 6:23am

In reply to @1995victoria "I take mine about 2 hours after supper (and 3 hrs before bedtime), and after swallowing,..." + (show)

@1995victoria
I take both of mine in the morning after breakfast. Personally, I think it’s better to take them in the morning. I drink a lot of water during the day because my doctor told me to keep hydrated and I think it helps get the medicine through my system. I take 1,000 a day and so far have had no symptoms.

1995victoria | @1995victoria | Feb 14 9:11am

In reply to @betty82 "@1995victoria I have been taking my medicine 500 mg my Dr said to take them at..." + (show)

@betty82 The yogurt or cheese is just my thing......figured my stomach didn't need chemo Not instructions from Dr, just take 2 caps at same time daily were my instructions

lebnelh123 | @lebnelh123 | Feb 14 10:00am

I've honestly been takin mine before bed..so I sleep through the nausea

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 26 7:22pm

In reply to @lebnelh123 "I've honestly been takin mine before bed..so I sleep through the nausea" + (show)

@lebnelh123, welcome. May I ask what condition you have? How long have you been on hydroxyurea?

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