Hydroxyurea Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have irritation of the mucous membranes (for example, lining of the mouth, throat, nostrils, stomach, intestines), talk with healthcare provider.

• If you ever have had any radiation therapy, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before receiving any vaccinations. Use with this medicine may either increase the risk of serious infection or make the vaccination less effective.

• If you have HIV and are taking didanosine and/or stavudine, talk with healthcare provider.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Anemia, low white blood cell count, and low platelet count.

• Headache.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Not hungry.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Diarrhea.

• Mouth irritation. Frequent mouth care with a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing mouth may help.

• Swelling.

• Skin changes (acne, stretch marks, slow healing, hair growth).

• Muscle weakness.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• Seizures.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe constipation.

• Mouth sores.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.