TY - JOUR
T1 - Hydroxyurea induced acute elevations in liver function tests
AU - Hallam, Mike J.
AU - Kolesar, Jill M.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Hydroxyurea (HU) is a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor used to treat myeloproliferative diseases including polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). We describe an 82-year-old male who was started on HU 500 mg three times weekly for the treatment of PV. Eight days after initiation of HU he experienced anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, dizziness, and shaking chills. Discontinuation of the HU resulted in resolution of his symptoms within 2 days, and HU was re-started. Ten days after re-starting HU, the patient re-presented with nausea and anorexia. Lab tests revealed elevations in liver enzyme function tests, which resolved promptly after cessation of HU. Patients being initiated on HU should be advised that rarely, fevers, chills, nausea, and elevations in liver function tests may occur.
AB - Hydroxyurea (HU) is a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor used to treat myeloproliferative diseases including polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). We describe an 82-year-old male who was started on HU 500 mg three times weekly for the treatment of PV. Eight days after initiation of HU he experienced anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, dizziness, and shaking chills. Discontinuation of the HU resulted in resolution of his symptoms within 2 days, and HU was re-started. Ten days after re-starting HU, the patient re-presented with nausea and anorexia. Lab tests revealed elevations in liver enzyme function tests, which resolved promptly after cessation of HU. Patients being initiated on HU should be advised that rarely, fevers, chills, nausea, and elevations in liver function tests may occur.
KW - Hydroxyurea
KW - Liver function tests
KW - Polycythemia vera
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U2 - 10.1177/1078155207086814
DO - 10.1177/1078155207086814
M3 - Article
C2 - 18337443
AN - SCOPUS:42949128749
SN - 1078-1552
VL - 14
SP - 61
EP - 63
JO - Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice
JF - Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice
IS - 1
ER -