Has anyone been switched from Hydrea to Aggrenox?

I am not a doctor, but this drug does not appear to be a substitute for Hydrea. It looks to function more like aspirin does.

It was about 8 months before I fully adjusted to Hydrea.
After a year my platelet count decreased from 1.1 million (critical) to 400,000 (normal).

It’s now 2 years and ET is still stable.
I wish my POTS could be controlled…
1 auto-immune ok, 1 to go!

Hi @mamsgirl1998 As @eloise999, mentioned, Aggrenox isn’t a substitute for hydroxyurea. It is a combination of aspirin and dipyridamole to help prevent blood from clotting. While it may help prevent strokes due to high platelet counts associated with ET, it is not treating the disease.
Hydrea helps reduce the risk of blood clots in essential thrombocythemia by actually reducing the platelet count.

Here is information about Aggrenox:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/aspirin-and-dipyridamole-oral-route/description/drg-20061846
Was this switch from HU to Aggrenox something your doctor suggested?

Thank you! I was just curious as I have developed mouth sores recently. I am not sure if it’s from the medication or from my gluten intolerance. I have already been taking Hydrea for over one year. I was just looking ahead in case I was needing to explore another treatment option.

When I saw my doctor last time, he said that this maybe the next line of treatment for me if the mouth storages weren’t going away. He did also put me on folic acid.

Not a doctor, just a patient, I'm going to suggest that you hydrate more...I drink at least 90 ounces of water daily. Also for the mouth sores, if I don't get enough water and the mouth sores hapoen, I use SmartMouth zinc activated oral rinse. It's potent, but it works. It's very important that you drink enough water to push that day's toxin (from the hydrea) through and out of your body.

I hope you get some relief from your mouth sores! Seems like when your mouth hurts, everything hurts!
Has your doctor mentioned lowering your dosage of HU? I know that’s worked for some members to help with side effects.
Essentially, the goal either way is to help prevent the risk of blood clots. So maybe for you, since your doctor is suggesting Aggrenox it might be a good alternative option. I know others might be interested in this discussion. If you do switch to Aggrenox, let us know how you’re doing with it?

Maybe Anagrelid was what he was talking about? It is a cytoreductive drug used for ET.

My doctor did lower my dosage this last time when I saw him.