Can hydroxyurea capsules be opened?
Do not open the capsules or break the tablets. Avoid exposure to crushed, broken, or opened capsules or tablets. If you touch an opened capsule or crushed tablet, wash your skin right away with soap and water.
How do you prepare hydroxyurea suspension?
Hydroxyurea oral solutions were prepared by dissolving the contents of the capsules in water (room temperature or mildly heated) with vigorous stirring, filtering excipients, and adding flavored syrup to a final concentration of 100 mg/mL.
Do you refrigerate hydroxyurea?
Store the capsules at room temperature and protect them from moisture. Store the liquid form of hydroxyurea in the refrigerator. Shake well before use. If small crystals are visible in liquid after shaking, contact your pharmacist.
How do you handle hydroxyurea?
Wear disposable gloves when handling the bottle or medicine. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after contact with the bottle or medicine. Do not open the capsules or break the tablets. Avoid exposure to crushed, broken, or opened capsules or tablets.
When should I start taking hydroxyurea?
Indications for hydroxyurea include the following: Frequent painful episodes (six or more per year) History of acute chest syndrome. History of other severe vaso-occlusive events.
Should hydroxyurea be taken with food?
Hydroxyurea is usually taken once per day at the same time of day, with or without food. Swallow the pill whole with a glass of water. Wash your hands before and after you handle this medicine or the bottle that contains the pills.
Does hydroxyurea come in liquid?
What is hydroxyurea? Hydroxyurea (also called Hydrea®) is used to treat cancer. It is available as a 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, and 500 mg capsule taken by mouth. It is also available as a 100 mg/ml liquid suspension made by the pharmacy.
Why do you have to wear gloves with hydroxyurea?
Pharmacy personnel should always wear impervious gloves when handling bottles of Hydrea (hydroxyurea) to minimize skin exposure to the antineoplastic agent, according to its manufacturer Bristol-Myers Squibb.
How long does it take for hydroxyurea to lower platelets?
In all patients randomly assigned to hydroxyurea treatment, the platelet count decreased below 600,000 per cubic millimeter within two to eight weeks and was maintained at this level with long-term treatment.
Can hydroxyurea expire?
Hydroxyurea should be kept well out of the reach of children. Ensure that the drug has not expired by checking the expiry date (“EXP”) shown on the outside of the package. Do not store in your bathroom or kitchen, as heat and moisture may cause the drug to be less active.
What is hydroxyurea prescribed for?
Hydroxyurea. Hydroxyurea is an oral medicene that is prescribed to patients suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, sickle-cell disease, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and polycythemia vera . Hydroxyurea slows down the growth of cancer cells in the body and can reduce the need for blood tranfusion.
Does Hydrea affect immune system?
The use of Hydrea by either parent may cause birth defects. Using Hydrea may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia or skin cancer. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen when you are outdoors. Hydrea can weaken your immune system.
What is hydroxyurea given for?
Hydroxyurea affects certain cells in the body, such as cancer cells or sickled red blood cells. Hydroxyurea is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, ovarian cancer, and certain types of skin cancer (squamous cell cancer of the head and neck).