Hydroxyurea User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Ser...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 8, 2024

For Thrombocythemia "Male, 49, NZ. The HU 1000 mg a day was prescribed after the high 1200 platelet count was discovered during an occupational blood test. I was 43 and just entered commercial construction a few months before to make a living. I cannot say much about the side effects at the beginning as I was very tired and my body was aching after work. At least it didn't get worse. The most prominent thing was a tingling sensation in my toes, but I guess many healthy people will have this after a long day on their feet in safety boots loaded with a toolbelt. The good thing was that I was taking a bunch of supplements to sustain the pressure of the hard work. I guess it helps me to resist some adverse effects of the chemo. A couple of years ago, the medication brand was changed to Hydrea. I don't remember the initial one, but there was no change in side effects except the burning sensation in my urinary tract when taking ibuprofen with HU and not taking extra water. Now 1500 mg a day and 300-500 platelet count."

• Jay...
• January 20, 2013

For Sickle Cell Anemia "When I first started taking hydroxyurea, it made me a little sick. Yet, after about 2 weeks, I noticed a slight increase in energy and went from having a hospitalization crisis every 2-3 months to about once a year. I still take pain meds for the smaller pains, but my lifestyle had gotten much better. I would recommend it to any person with sickle cell."

• Jmp...
• October 17, 2020

For Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia "I have been on Hydrea for 3 weeks of 500 mg daily. My platelets have dropped from 924 to 824. I get blood work weekly. I haven’t had any side effects that I’ve noticed. I will be talking to my doctor's office in a day or two. I’m anxious to hear what they say."

• nos...
• March 30, 2010

For Sickle Cell Anemia "I've been taking this medicine for about six weeks or so, and the problem so far has been that my nail beds are turning black. A little freaked out right now, but surprisingly, I've been feeling a lot better."

• Avi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2017

For Sickle Cell Anemia "I am 44. I used to take hydroxyurea for many years. I stopped being hospitalized as often as I used to. But my nails were brittle, my belly had bad pain inside, my hair was coming out, and last, my teeth in my mouth were falling out. I went to the dentist, they said it's the chemo in the drug. So I stopped taking it. But my teeth are also so bad now, and yet I have no dental. I am grateful for not being in the hospital like I used to, but my teeth are all messed up."

• HCW...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 23, 2020

For Sickle Cell Anemia "I am a 69-year-old woman with sickle beta+ thalassemia, was having multiple episodes of pneumonia yearly, and my doctor thought adding hydroxyurea would lessen them as they are sometimes indistinguishable from chest pain syndrome. Plus, my pneumonias were asymptomatic. I started taking it in 2005, and in the beginning, I had hair loss, but over time, that adjusted, although my hair growth is slow. I have had far less frequent crises and have not had one since 2016. Before that, I had just 2 minor crises. I have far less joint pain now, and with taking glutamine (since 2018) with hydroxyurea, I am relatively pain-free except for my back and stomach. But I plan to continue taking these meds until there is a cure for sickle. If you take it, you MUST follow your doctor's advice and see him regularly for blood tests, etc. It is not a med to take with a cavalier attitude as it is to help prevent serious sickle cell complications, and for me, it does just that. I am grateful to have it."

• Jkd...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 9, 2021

For Thrombocythemia "Not all generics are the same. Did well for three years and stabilized my platelet count until my insurance company changed the manufacturer. All of a sudden, my platelet count increased, and all my pretreatment symptoms began to appear. Started the non-generic brand and am finally back to normal with a stable platelet count. Wish my insurance had not changed the manufacturer, as now it costs me $100 a month for my prescription. My insurance does not cover the non-generic."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2021

Hydroxyurea for Solid Tumors "I was diagnosed with thrombocythemia 2 years ago when I had a heart attack with a high platelet count of 1200. The hematologist placed me on Hydrea, and I had severe side effects, discussed with the hematologist but was advised the only treatment available. Stopped using it after the side effects were too severe, but the count only increased, and I had to be placed on Hydrea again. By the end of a 3-month course, I couldn't even get out of bed or do anything for myself, and the platelet count just fluctuated the whole time. The Hydrea just affected the rest of my cells and health severely, got weaker day after day. I then read on the site of a lady who used Agrylin – discussed it with my GP, and she contacted the head of the hema team, went for a second bone marrow biopsy, and the medical aid approved Agrylin for use – I’m on this now for 4 months, and my health is almost back to normal, no side effects, my overall health is much better, the platelet count is dropping on low dosage, not fluctuating anymore - strongly suggest you try this."

• Lop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2020

For Sickle Cell Anemia "Male, 40, living in sub-Saharan Africa - Lagos. I’m hbSS, and my crises have become less frequent over the course of my life, from 5 to 6 times annually as a teenager to a maximum of 1 annually after age 25 till now. I took hydroxyurea for the first time 2 months ago, recommended by my hematologist after an unexpected exchange transfusion. My usual shortness of breath is reduced significantly. I can climb flights of stairs. The doc says I wasn’t given it before because they didn’t think it was necessary. My nails and palms are usually pale and white, but now look normal. Side effects include mild nausea - food doesn’t taste nice anymore, and some constipation - my distended stomach became normal around age 20 but is now back. I go off it for a day once in a while."

• Mye...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2024

"I have been on hydroxyurea for 2 months, 500 mg once daily. I have not felt well since starting it. One week ago, due to side effects, it was changed to every other day. It has reduced my platelets, but I feel very weak and can barely do my daily activities. Yesterday, my nurse practitioner told me to stop the drug and to come in 4 days later for labs and consultation. While on hydroxy, I also had frequent nightmares, bloating, weight gain, and tingling of fingers and toes. I plan on asking if I could go to one pill per week on a trial basis to see if it could help at all with the platelets but have more tolerable side effects. I am beginning to feel anxious about the constant changes that create a slow decline in my well-being."

• Lad...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 5, 2023

For Sickle Cell Anemia "Hydroxyurea is the best thing that could ever happen to me. I started taking it back in 2014. After taking it for a while, I started having minimal sickle cell crises. Then, in 2016, there was something else going on in my body that I was not managing, and I had a severe crisis. After taking control of that situation, I have not had another crisis since. Today is May 12, 2023, and I have not had a crisis since 2016."

• ron...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2023

"I have been taking Droxia 200 mg, 3 capsules (600 mg total) per day for 4 years because of myelofibrosis, which is a myeloproliferative neoplasm. It has lowered my platelets from the 600-700 range to the 400-500 range. I have not had any troublesome side effects. I think the pandemic precautions, such as masking and hand washing, and social distancing, have helped me to avoid infections. Most of my blood counts are within normal ranges, or close enough."

• Pea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 24, 2022

For Thrombocythemia "My husband has been on hydroxyurea for 6 years. A year ago, he developed leg ulcers and a rash. It took months to heal. The hydroxyurea also has caused his blood readings (WBC, RBC, etc.) to be out of normal range. He has secondary thrombocytosis caused by having to have his spleen removed from a motorcycle wreck. Two months ago, he developed the leg ulcers and a rash over most of his body. One of his legs is swollen. Our primary doctor thinks it's the hydroxyurea. His hematologist last year didn't think it was the hydroxyurea. She took him off the med a week ago, and he is already doing better."

• Mou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 21, 2024

For Polycythemia Vera "I have been taking HU for about 3 years now. No problems that I know of. My blood counts are normal according to the MPN specialist I see. I prefer it very much to the phlebotomy I had to have before taking the HU. I have not had a phlebotomy since starting the HU. Phlebotomies are a medieval torture. Hope anyone who needs this drug does as well. I have PV and take 9 capsules per week."

• psh...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 13, 2025

For Thrombocythemia "I was diagnosed with ET in 1993 as a 29-year-old man. I have taken 1000 mg/day every day since. Platelets went from 1.2 million to about 650,000. I am 60 now and am still around 550,000. I don't have any major illnesses, other than hypothyroid, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. I think I may be the longest living patient on Hydrea at 31 years. I don't really know of any side effects because I have been on this for so long. I have to assume that this drug has in fact extended my life. I'll keep taking Hydrea as long as my oncologist/hematologist keeps telling me to take it. It is really difficult to rate this medication, but I am still here."

• Off...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 29, 2024

"I thought I had leukemia. I had a bone marrow biopsy which was negative for leukemia but positive for a JAK2 mutation. My platelet count was elevated. My hematologist put me on Hydroxyurea 500 mg once a day. Now my platelet count is controlled and I was told that we were lucky to catch the JAK2 mutation early enough."

• kp2...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 3, 2017

For Thrombocythemia "Medicine takes platelets down, but when pharmacy changed manufacturers, my skin itches very badly. I will try to go back to the old pharmacy."

• gab...
• December 14, 2009

Hydroxyurea for Sickle Cell Anemia "Haven't been hospitalized since I started taking it. But I did gain a little weight."

• Fad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 9, 2018

For Thalassemia "Good medicine for increased red blood cells and reduced masses in the spine due to beta thalassemia intermedia."

• Lil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2023

For Polycythemia Vera "I had a severe gum infection and had a gingivectomy while on hydroxyurea for my polycythemia vera."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2022

For Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia "WBC count was 155,000, and CML was suspected. Administered 2,000 mg twice a day. By the third day, WBC count was down to 81,000. On my 6th day now with no side effects."

• gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 15, 2023

For Thrombocythemia "Worked well to control platelet count. Caused muscle soreness, hair loss, joint pain, increased depression, exhaustion, and possibly 'chemo brain.'"