How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient hydroxyurea (also known as hydroxycarbamide), which is a type of medicine called an antineoplastic. This means it stops the growth of abnormal tissue, which may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancer). It is most commonly used to treat leukaemia, but can also be used for non-malignant disorders. Cancers form when some cells within the body multiply uncontrollably and abnormally. There are two types of cancer. Firstly, solid cancers where a lump forms, eg due to the bone, muscle, brain cells etc dividing and multiplying abnormally; and secondly leukaemias and lymphomas, where the blood cells divide and multiply abnormally. Like normal healthy cells, cancer cells go through a continuous process of change. Each cell divides into two daughter cells. These cells grow, rest and then divide again. Antineoplastic medicines are powerful chemicals designed to interrupt this cycle and stop cells from growing and multiplying. The exact way in which hydroxyurea works is unclear, but it appears to interfere with the synthesis of genetic material (DNA) inside cells. It therefore stops cells from growing and multiplying, which stops the growth of abnormal tissue. Hydroxyurea is therefore used to stop the growth of abnormal cells in leukaemia and cervical cancer, and is also sometimes used to decrease the excessive numbers of red blood cells seen in a blood disorder called polycythaemia. Unfortunately, antineoplastic medicines also affect the growth and division of normal, healthy cells, such as other blood, gut and hair cells, in the same way. This causes several of the side effects seen with these medicines, eg hair loss.

What is it used for?

Cancer of the blood, characterised by an increased number of granulocytes in the blood

Cervical cancer, in conjunction with radiotherapy treatment

Increased number of red blood cells in the blood

Warning!

People taking this medicine should have regular blood tests to monitor their kidney and liver function.

People receiving this medicine should have weekly blood tests to monitor the composition of their blood.

If prefered, or if you are unable to swallow capsules, your dose can be taken by emptying the contents of the capsules into a glass of water and taking this immediately. However, if you do this, make sure you do not inhale the contents of the capsules, or allow them to come into contact with skin or mucous membranes.

This medicine may cause an increase in the amount of uric acid in the blood, which can result in the development of gout. For this reason, while you are taking this medicine you should maintain a high fluid intake and have regular blood tests to monitor the amount of uric acid in your blood.

Since this medicine may be harmful to a developing foetus, men and women of child-bearing potential should use effective contraceptive measures both before and during treatment with this medicine, in order to prevent pregnancy.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Significantly decreased kidney function

Not to be used in

Severe anaemia

Severely decreased number of platelets in the blood

Severely decreased number of white blood cells in the blood (leucopenia)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine may be harmful to a developing foetus. It should not normally be given to pregnant women unless the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk and may be harmful to the nursing infant. For this reason, nursing mothers who are prescribed this medicine should discontinue breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Drowsiness

Skin rashes

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Seizures (convulsions)

Hair loss (alopecia)

Decreased production of blood cells by the bone marrow (bone marrow suppression)

Decreased kidney function

False perceptions of things that are not really there (hallucinations)

Accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary oedema)

Dizziness

Low red blood cell count (anaemia)

Loss of appetite

Decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood (leucopenia)

Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia)

Dark colored, tarry stools, due to the presence of blood altered by the intestinal juices (melaena)

A general feeling of being unwell (malaise)

Inflammation of the lining of the mouth (stomatitis)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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