PATIENT
INFORMATION LEAFLET
Hydrea Capsules 500 mg
Hydroxycarbamide
Your doctor
has prescribed Hydrea Capsules for you. This leaflet
gives a summary of information about your medicine. If
you want to know more, or are not sure about anything,
ask your doctor or pharmacist.
REMEMBER
This
medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it
for you. NEVER give this medicine to anyone else,
even if they have the same symptoms as you, as it
may harm them.
WHAT IS
IN HYDREA CAPSULES
Hydrea
belongs to a group of medicines which interfere with the
growth of cancer cells.
The active ingredient in Hydrea is
hydroxycarbamide. This is the new name for hydroxyurea.
The active ingredient itself has not changed.
Each capsule
of Hydrea contains 500 mg hydroxycarbamide; the other
ingredients are citric acid, erythrosine (E127), gelatin,
indigotine (E132), lactose, magnesium stearate, sodium
laurilsulfate, sodium phosphate, titanium dioxide
(E171), yellow iron oxide (E172) and opacode S-1-8100.
Hydrea
capsules are packed in blister packs of 100 capsules.
WHAT IS
THIS MEDICINE FOR?
Hydrea is
used to treat some types of cancer such as cervical
cancer and a type of leukaemia called chronic myeloid
leukaemia (CML). The precise reason why you are being
given Hydrea is best discussed with your doctor.
BEFORE
TAKING YOUR MEDICINE
SHOULD YOU BE TAKING HYDREA CAPSULES?
If you
answer YES to any of the following questions, and
you have not already discussed them with your
doctor, DO NOT start taking HYDREA CAPSULES but go
back to your doctor as soon as possible for advice.
-
1. Have you had an allergic reaction to any
similar medicines or to any of the ingredients
in Hydrea capsules?
-
2. Have you a medical history of blood problems?
-
3. Have you had any problems with your kidneys?
-
4. Are you pregnant or is there a possibility
you may become pregnant or breast feed?
-
5. Have you ever suffered from gout?
-
6. Are you taking any anti-HIV medicines?
-
7. Are you currently taking other medicines for
cancer treatment, particularly interferon
therapy?
CAN
YOU TAKE OTHER MEDICINES?
Some
medicines taken with Hydrea may need dosage
adjustment. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist if
you are taking any other medicines. These include
medicines bought at a pharmacy or elsewhere e.g.
supermarket.
IS
IT ALL RIGHT TO DRINK ALCOHOL?
Check
with your doctor whether drinking is advisable for
you.
IS
IT ALL RIGHT TO DRIVE?
Hydrea
may make you feel drowsy. Do not drive or operate
machinery after taking Hydrea Capsules if you feel
drowsy or unwell.
TAKING
YOUR MEDICINE
HOW
SHOULD YOU TAKE HYDREA CAPSULES?
The
usual doses are: 20-30 mg of Hydrea per kg of your
bodyweight taken once a day OR 80 mg of Hydrea per
kg of your body weight taken once daily every third
day. Your doctor will test a sample of your blood
every so often whilst you are being treated with
Hydrea.
WHAT
IS THE DOSE OF HYDREA FOR OLDER ADULTS?
Elderly
patients may be more sensitive to the effects of
Hydrea and may need lower doses.
CAN
YOU RECEIVE RADIATION TREATMENT WHILST YOU ARE
TAKING HYDREA?
Yes, if
you are to have radiation therapy, Hydrea is usually
started seven days before starting radiation
treatment.
SHOULD YOU TAKE THE CAPSULES BEFORE OR AFTER MEALS?
It does
not matter.
IS
THE AMOUNT OF FLUID YOU DRINK WHILE TAKING HYDREA
CAPSULES IMPORTANT?
Yes,
while you are being treated with Hydrea it is
important that you drink plenty of fluids. This will
help your kidneys work well.
WHAT
SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SWALLOW
HYDREA CAPSULES?
The
contents of the capsule may be emptied into a glass
of water and taken immediately. Don't worry if some
of the powder floats on the surface of the water,
this is just filler from the capsule. Don't inhale
the contents of the capsules and if you spill any on
the skin wipe it immediately.
HOW
LONG SHOULD YOU TAKE THE CAPSULES FOR?
It
usually takes about six weeks for the capsules to
start working. You should continue taking the
capsules until your doctor tells you otherwise.
WHAT
IF YOU TAKE TOO MANY CAPSULES OR A CHILD SWALLOWS
SOME?
Go to
your nearest hospital Casualty Department
immediately and take the medicine carton with you.
WHAT
IF YOU MISS OR FORGET TO TAKE A DOSE?
If you
miss or forget to take a dose of this medicine DO
NOT take the missed dose at all and DO NOT double
the next one. Go back to your original directions
for your next dose. If you are unsure contact your
doctor.
UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS
ARE
THERE ANY UNWANTED EFFECTS OF HYDREA?
All
medicines may cause some unwanted or "side-effects"
in a few patients. If you notice any of the
following side-effects go back to your doctor
straight away:
-
unexplained shortness of breath or cough with
fever
-
lower back pain or pain in your side
-
black tarry stools or blood in the stools
-
unusual bleeding or bruising
-
unexplained fever, chills or sore throat
-
numbness or tingling of hands or feet
-
skin ulceration, especially with severe
infection
The
following side effects may occur in some patients, check
with your doctor if these effects continue or become
troublesome: anaemia, loss of appetite, weakness and
loss of energy, skin cancer, sickness, diarrhoea,
constipation, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, sores on
the lips or mouth, temporary hair loss, skin rash,
darkening of skin, wasting of skin and nails, peeling
and purple raised patches of skin, abdominal pain,
disorientation, hallucinations (seeing, hearing or
feeling things that are not there), convulsions
(seizures), redness of the skin following radiation
treatment and difficult or painful urination.
If you
notice any other troublesome effects tell your doctor or
pharmacist.
LOOKING
AFTER YOUR MEDICINE
You will see
an Expiry Date on the carton and blister of Hydrea
Capsules. DO NOT take the capsules after this date.
Keep all
your medicines where children cannot reach or see them,
preferably in a locked cupboard or medicines cabinet.
Pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant
should not handle Hydrea capsules. Do not store Hydrea
capsules above 25°C. The capsules should not get too hot
or damp; so do not leave your medicine near a radiator,
on a window sill or in the bathroom.
If your
doctor decides to stop the medicine, ask your pharmacist
to tell you what to do with any you have left. It is
very important that these capsules are disposed of
correctly.
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