Hydroxyurea Tablets

• It is used to treat sickle cell anemia.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

• If you have an allergy to hydroxyurea or any other part of this medicine (hydroxyurea tablets).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have any of these health problems: Anemia (other than sickle cell anemia); bone marrow problems like low platelet count, low red blood cell count, or low white blood cell count; or wounds on the legs (leg ulcers).
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Didanosine or stavudine.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this medicine (hydroxyurea tablets).

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine (hydroxyurea tablets).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine (hydroxyurea tablets) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Use this medicine (hydroxyurea tablets) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take this medicine (hydroxyurea tablets) at the same time of day.
• Take with or without food.
• Take with a full glass of water.
• The 1000 mg tablets may be split. If using 100 mg tablets, do not split the tablets into smaller parts.
• If you cannot swallow tablets, they can be dissolved in a small amount of water in a teaspoon. After mixing, take your dose right away. Do not store for future use.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Keep taking this medicine (hydroxyurea tablets) as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• You will need to take special care when handling this medicine (hydroxyurea tablets). Check with the doctor or pharmacist to see how to handle this medicine (hydroxyurea tablets).
• Wear gloves when touching this medicine (hydroxyurea tablets).
• If a tablet is crushed, do not touch it. If a crushed tablet is touched or gets it in the eyes, wash hands or eyes right away.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Hair loss.
• Upset stomach.
• Not hungry.
• Hard stools (constipation).
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Headache.
• Mouth sores.
• Weight gain.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.