Does anyone have change in taste while on hydroxyurea?

Posted by vickieannb57 @vickieannb57, Dec 19, 2025

Just finished making Christmas goodies. I take HU and nothing I made this year taste good. Husband said it is good but my chocolate fudge has an awful taste. Guess that could be a good thing no calories if you don't eat.

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nande | @nande | Jan 5 12:26pm

Yes! I use hard candy and gum.

nypara66 | @nypara66 | Jan 6 7:34am

In reply to @christina3444 "Hello. Certain foods don’t seem to taste the same, as good. Eggs for instance. But, what..." + (show)

@christina3444 My urine def has a different odor. You are not alone!

Wrestling Mama | @lehall125 | Jan 7 9:06am

I've found many things to taste very bitter, but I didn't even attribute it to the hydroxyurea I was taking! Thank you for pointing this out!

marnix | @marnix | Jan 8 9:06am

I'm wondering if anyone has found an impact on their sense of smell. I have for some time had a kind of stuck smell, not pleasant, which I cannot explain. Been on HU for over a year now after a dx of PV and a past CLL diagnosis. I would love to find an explanation for this symptom and get rid of it.

exon9 | @exon9 | Jan 13 5:16pm

I taste salt most of the time. Yuck

schree | @schree | Jan 14 8:42am

In reply to @exon9 "I taste salt most of the time. Yuck" + (show)

@exon9 I also just taste salt

mone83 | @mone83 | Jun 2 9:20am

In reply to @dunewalker "Yes! I can’t eat very much at a time and can’t get excited about any kind..." + (show)

@dunewalker Not only does food taste horrible I keep losing weight because I literally cannot eat much.
i e 1/2, boiled egg is enough with a glass of milk. Drs don’t seem to know what to do. Not very hungry anyway.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jun 2 2:17pm

In reply to @mone83 "@dunewalker Not only does food taste horrible I keep losing weight because I literally cannot eat..." + (show)

Hi @mone83 Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry you’re having such a difficult time with not being able to eat and losing so much weight because of it! Since you dropped into the conversation about changes in food tastes with members taking hydroxyurea, are you also on this medication?

If you don’t mind sharing a little more about yourself, is this Hydroxyurea for a blood condition such as Essential thrombocythemia (ET) or Polycythemia Vera (PV)? What is your daily dosage?

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