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Introduction of
Hydroxycarbamide
Hydroxycarbamide is used to treat
chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). It can also be used to treat
acute myeloid leukaemia, head and neck cancers and ovarian
cancer.
Hydroxycarbamide is one of a group of
chemotherapy drugs known as the anti-metabolites. These stop
cells making and repairing DNA. Cancer cells need to make and
repair DNA in order to grow and multiply.
Side Effects of Hydroxycarbamide
All chemotherapy drugs cause
tiredness . Feeling very tired is said by cancer patients to
be the most disruptive side effect of all. You may feel tired
because of the effect the drugs have on your bone marrow. It
can also be because you are not sleeping well, are not able to
eat enough or are worried or depressed. Tiredness often
carries on after treatment has ended. Most people find their
energy levels are back to normal from 6 months to a year after
their treatment finishes.
Many people have one or more of the following side effects:
Temporary drop in bone marrow
function causing
--Drop in white blood cell count. This increases the risk of
severe infection. You may have headaches, aching muscles,
cough, sore throat, pain when passing urine or feel cold and
shivery. Infections can sometimes be
life threatening. You should urgently contact your doctor if
you think you have an infection.
--Drop in red cell count (anaemia), which may make you feel
tired and look pale or be short of breath. You may need a
blood transfusion or treatment to bring up your red cell
count.
--Drop in platelet numbers in the blood causing bleeding or
bruising. You may have lots of tiny red spots or bruises on
your arms or legs. You may have nosebleeds or bleeding gums.
Contact your hospital if you have any of these bone marrow
side effects
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This drug may have a harmful effect on a baby
that is developing in your womb. It is not advisable to
become pregnant or father a child if you are having this
drug. You should talk about contraception with your doctor
before having the treatment.
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Loss
of fertility - you may not be able to get pregnant or father
a child after treatment with this drug. It is important to
talk to your doctor about your fertility before starting
treatment.
Disclaimer:
Information on this page is provided for general
information purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment
decision based on information contained in this page without
consulting other references including the package insert of
the drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We
cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use of any
erroneous information contained on this page.
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