Hydrea User Reviews & Ratings

• Meredes...
• January 4, 2012

For Thrombocythemia "I am on Hydrea due to Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia with platelet counts over 2 million. I am very young (21) and have been taking Hydrea for 1 year and a half now. Though it has lowered my platelets, I have recurrent anemia and infections (most recently in the lungs). In the beginning, I was very tired, had shaky legs, skin would easily bruise, felt drugged up from time to time, experienced depression, muscle pain, burning sensation in legs which was severe and decreased after 5 months, brain fog, and stomach pain (still common). The most common symptom would be an enlarged spleen with pain. I've had severe neurological side effects that have been gradually decreasing with time. Nevertheless, Hydrea, compared to Anagrelide and Interferon, is by far the medication I tolerate the best."

• smili...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 23, 2018

For Sickle Cell Anemia "Hello. I have Sickle Cell Disease-SS Hemoglobin. My hematologist started me on Hydrea in 2001, and I'm still on it. I'm in my early 40s, and it has helped me. I take 4 capsules, 500 mg now, but in 2001, my blood count was extremely low. Once on it, it had increased my red cell count, while my white cell count decreased (which it's supposed to do). I have a lesser amount of hospital admissions now. But I have to admit, even though doctors may think it's like a 'cure,' it's NOT! I've lately been having small pain crises in joints that made me go to the ER but not admitted about 3 months out of the entire year. My RBC and WBC counts are still looking good. You HAVE to keep your doctor appointments and tests while on this medication. I do have extreme nausea and have to skip a day sometimes. This medication may work on one Sickler but NOT on another. Now we have another alternative. I hope my experience will help other Sicklers see the pros and cons. But we FINALLY have a choice now!"

• Hemen...
• November 28, 2016

For Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia "I was asked by my doctor in Mumbai, India, to take Hydroxyurea 500 for 10 days, and I got these capsules of Hydrea from the store. My platelets were 650,000 to start, then, after taking the capsules for 10 days, the platelet count came down to 570,000. I was advised to further continue the capsules for another 30 days. After 30 days, the platelet count was 432,000. I have not experienced any side effects."

• BreeM
• January 19, 2014

For Sickle Cell Anemia "I'm 18 years old, and even though I wasn't a sickle cell patient who had many pain crises, my doctor had still been suggesting I take Hydrea since I will be starting college soon (I guess just to be safe). Since taking it, I haven't had any severe pain crises, but I swear every day it feels like my back is in a small pain crisis. Which is scary because I never know if it's going to become a full-blown crisis. I'm always having to take pain meds or miss school because of this. I'm thinking about if I should stop taking it for a while to see if the Hydrea is what's causing this pain. Because it can be my birth control pills causing it, but I highly doubt it. I wish there were more reviews on Hydrea so I could know if it was just me."

• dr_so...
• August 2, 2011

For Sickle Cell Anemia "Hydroxyurea significantly improves the frequency of sickle cell crisis, but it has a long list of adverse effects. But if the dose is monitored properly and the complete blood count of the patient is done on a regular basis, then some of the adverse effects can be easily identified and managed accordingly."

• Joe
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 25, 2022

"500 mg a day has brought my counts down to 700 after 6 months (was High Platelets >1200). No noticeable side effects from the drug, in fact the condition wasn’t noticeable either. Hematologist just started me taking 2 extra pills a week, trying to get the count down to 450. I’m not worried and thankful."

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

For Solid Tumors "I was diagnosed with Thrombocythemia 2 years ago when I had a heart attack with high platelet count of 1200. The Hematologist placed me on Hydrea and I had severe side effect, discussed with Hematologist but was advised the only treatment available. Stop using after the side effects was too severe, but count only increased and had to be placed on Hydrea again, by the end of 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 and the Hydrea just affected the rest of my cells & health severely, got more weak day after day. I then read on the site of a lady who used Agrylin – discussed with my GP and she contacted the Head of the Heama team, went for 2nd 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 much better, platelet count dropping on low dosage not fluctuating anymore - strongly suggest you try this"

• gabon...
• December 14, 2009

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