My son in law is on it for Rheumatoid Artiritis. I dont know much about the drug, other than he was told it is a cancer drug that they have discovered it to be helpful in alleviating RA symptoms.
He tolerates it very well. No side effects at all. THey just have to monitor his liver function which has been perfect in the 3 years he has been on it...
I would love to know more about this for PV/talk to someone on it for this as Im really on the fence about Hydroxyurea...
Hydroxyurea/ Hydroxycarbamide. Has been around for pv patients for years, the doctors only put u on them when platelets go above 600.
Hi Angela not heard of that but am on a trial osteoarthritis drug, hope it serves two purposes.
My platelets just went above 600 and they want me on it. Do you know if I would be able to go off it once my platelets are back under control? I dont have my dr appt for another 2 weeks to ask that...
Usually, once your platelet tests are normalised Hydroxycarbamide (Urea) will be adjusted to suit your situation and will continue to be prescribed but at a lower dose. The problem with Hydroxy is in its long term use when dosage is increased to a maximum when it fails to keep the counts at an approved level and this is when the side-effects are most noticeable. It does need constant supervision by the medics and it will not be immediately stopped as this brings its own problems. Hydroxy has been for many years, the best available drug treatment for PV although its original concept was to treat cancer, particularly Leukaemia. The latest drug available is Ruxolitinib which is better at controlling the blood counts but it is not generally available, still being assessed in a UK research programme. As with all drugs it has side effects and some of them are not too dissimilar to those seen with Hydroxy. It is possible to wean one off Hydroxycarbamide but any replacement would be considered less favoured or effective.
That is very interesting Angela. If it is as effective as described its introduction will not be too soon. Will need to keep an eye on that one. Best wishes.