Hydroxyurea and Nausea: What Users Say

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

Hydroxyurea for Sickle Cell Anemia "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!"

• dal...
• November 23, 2015

For Thrombocythemia "I take this for myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm. I got a lot of nausea. Some weight gain. Overall achy feeling. It has been working like it should. Only had to do one up change on dosage. I take 1 capsule twice a day."

• 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."