Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s

Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s belongs to a group of medicines called antimetabolites (medicines that interfere with how cells build their DNA). It blocks an enzyme that cells need to make DNA, which is the genetic material cells copy before they divide. Cancer cells divide quickly, so blocking this step slows or stops their growth. This is why Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s is used for resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia. It is also used for some advanced cancers of the head and neck (not including the lip), where it is given along with radiation and chemotherapy.

In sickle cell anaemia, red blood cells bend into a stiff, curved "sickle" shape and block small blood vessels. This causes painful episodes called crises. Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s helps the body make more foetal haemoglobin (haemoglobin F). This form of haemoglobin helps stop red cells from sickling. It also lowers the number of certain white blood cells and changes red cells in ways that may help them flow more easily. Over time, this can mean fewer painful crises and fewer transfusions.

Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s comes as capsules and tablets that are taken by mouth, usually once a day. Because it is taken by mouth at home, long-term treatment is practical for many people.

Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s is a strong medicine and needs careful medical supervision. Its most serious risk is bone marrow suppression, which means the bone marrow makes fewer blood cells. This raises the risk of infection, bleeding and anaemia. Your doctor will order blood tests before and during treatment and may pause the medicine or change the dose based on the results. Long-term use has been linked to secondary leukaemia and skin cancer, so protecting your skin from the sun matters. Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s can harm an unborn baby, so effective birth control is needed during treatment and for some time after it ends. Because Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s is a cytotoxic drug (a drug that can damage cells), carers should wear gloves when handling it.

1. Fewer sickle cell crises - Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s reduces how often painful crises happen in people with sickle cell anaemia.
2. Less need for blood transfusions - In sickle cell anaemia, it can lower how often transfusions are needed.
3. Control of resistant CML - It slows the growth of leukaemia cells in chronic myeloid leukaemia that has not responded well to other treatment.
4. Support for radiation treatment - It is given with chemotherapy and radiation for some advanced head and neck cancers.
5. Simple to take by mouth - Treatment is usually once a day by mouth, so it can be taken at home between clinic visits.
6. Dose can be adjusted - Doctors can raise, lower or pause the dose based on regular blood counts, so treatment can be suited to each person.

Common Side Effects (Usually Mild and may lessen with continued use)

• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Weight gain
• Sores in the mouth and throat
• Rash
• Pale skin
• Dizziness and headache
• Hair loss
• Changes in the skin and nails, such as darkening
• Larger-than-usual red blood cells (macrocytosis). This shows up on blood tests, usually early in treatment, and often settles by itself.

Serious Side Effects (Seek Urgent Medical Attention)

• Bone marrow suppression (myelosuppression): the bone marrow makes too few blood cells. Warning signs include fever, chills, sore throat, a cough that does not go away or other signs of infection, extreme tiredness or weakness, unusual bleeding or bruising, black or tarry stools, and vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
• Haemolytic anaemia: red blood cells break down faster than normal. Watch for unusual tiredness, pale or yellow skin and dark urine.
• Secondary cancers: long-term use has been linked to leukaemia and skin cancer.
• Cutaneous vasculitis: inflammation of small blood vessels in the skin. This can cause painful leg ulcers and, in rare cases, gangrene (tissue death). It has been reported more often in people with blood cell disorders who are taking, or have taken, interferon (a medicine used for some blood disorders and infections).
• Interstitial lung disease: inflammation or scarring of the lungs, which can sometimes be fatal. Watch for fever, cough and shortness of breath.
• Radiation recall: redness of the skin in areas that were treated with radiation in the past.
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), liver damage and nerve damage: these have been reported in people with HIV who took Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s with certain HIV medicines. Warning signs include stomach pain that may spread to the back, pain in the upper right side of the belly, yellow skin or eyes, and numbness, burning or tingling in the hands or feet.
• Fast heartbeat, blood in the urine, or painful, itchy, red, swollen or blistered skin.

• Take Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s exactly as your doctor prescribes. It is usually taken once a day. For cancer treatment, your doctor will decide how often you take it, based on your condition, weight and blood test results.
• Take it at about the same time each day so the amount of medicine in your body stays steady.
• Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of plain water. Do not open, split, chew or crush them.
• Follow the pack leaflet for your tablets. Split them only along the score lines, and only if your doctor tells you to.
• If you cannot swallow tablets, ask your doctor whether your tablets can be dissolved in a small amount of water in a teaspoon. If they can, swallow the mixture straight away.
• Wear disposable gloves when you handle the capsules, tablets or bottle, and wash your hands before and after. Other people should not touch the medicine.
• If powder from a capsule or tablet touches your skin, wash the area well. If it gets into your eyes, rinse them with water for at least 15 minutes.
• Your doctor will likely prescribe folic acid as well. Take it as directed.
• Do not stop Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s or change the dose on your own. Go to every blood test and appointment.

Before a cell can divide, it has to copy its DNA, the set of instructions inside every cell. To build new DNA, the cell needs an enzyme called ribonucleotide reductase. An enzyme is a protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in the body. Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s is believed to work mainly by blocking this enzyme. Without it, the cell cannot make the building blocks it needs for new DNA, so DNA copying stops almost straight away. Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s does not stop the cell from making RNA (a related molecule cells use to make proteins) or proteins. It mainly affects the DNA-copying step.

Cancer cells divide much faster than most healthy cells, so they are hit hardest. Bone marrow cells, which make blood cells, also divide quickly. This explains why low blood counts are the main side effect, and why the same action can harm a developing baby.

In head and neck cancer, Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s is thought to make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation, which is why the two are given together.

In sickle cell anaemia, the exact way Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s helps is not fully understood. It raises the level of foetal haemoglobin (haemoglobin F) in red blood cells, and this form of haemoglobin resists sickling. It also lowers the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell involved in inflammation, and increases the water content of red cells. Together, these changes may help red cells stay flexible and flow more easily through small blood vessels.

• Keep every blood test appointment. Blood counts guide your dose.
• Swallow capsules whole with water and never open them.
• Wear gloves when handling the medicine, and keep it away from other people in your home.
• Use sunscreen and protective clothing outdoors.
• Use effective birth control during treatment and for as long afterwards as your doctor advises.
• Check with your doctor before getting any vaccine.
• If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), tell your doctor. Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s can make glucose readings look higher than they really are, which could lead to too much insulin and low blood sugar.
• Before any lab test, tell the lab staff you take Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s, because it can make uric acid, urea and lactic acid results look falsely high.
• Report fever, sore throat, unusual bruising or leg sores straight away.

• Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Short periods between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) are acceptable.
• Keep the medicine in its original container with the lid tightly closed.
• Protect it from heat and moisture, and do not keep it in the bathroom.
• If your tablets are scored and you break them, keep the broken pieces in the original bottle and use them within 3 months.
• Keep the medicine out of sight and reach of children and pets.
• Do not flush unused medicine down the toilet. Ask your pharmacist about safe disposal.

• No specific food restrictions are listed for Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s. Keep to your normal diet unless your doctor advises otherwise.
• Your doctor will usually prescribe folic acid as a precaution, because Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s makes red blood cells larger and this can hide a lack of folic acid.
• Ask your doctor whether alcohol is safe for you, because Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s can cause nausea and vomiting.

• HIV medicines (didanosine, stavudine): Taking these with Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s has caused pancreatitis, liver failure and severe nerve damage, and some of these cases were fatal. The combination of Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s, didanosine and stavudine should be avoided.
• Interferon: Using interferon now or in the past raises the risk of skin vasculitis and leg ulcers with Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s.
• Other cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy: Past or current treatment with these makes low blood counts more likely. Past radiation can also lead to radiation recall skin reactions.
• Live vaccines: Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s weakens the body's defences. A live vaccine could then cause a severe infection. Avoid live vaccines during treatment.
• Continuous glucose monitors: Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s can falsely raise glucose readings on some sensors, which may lead to taking too much insulin.
• Tell your doctor about all prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal products you take.

• Very low blood counts: Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s should not be started if the bone marrow is already working very poorly.
• Severe anaemia: Severe anaemia (very low red blood cell count) must be treated before Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s is started.
• Kidney disease: The medicine builds up in the body, so a lower dose and close monitoring are needed.
• Liver disease: Blood counts need close monitoring.
• HIV infection: There is a higher risk of pancreatitis, liver damage and nerve damage, especially with certain HIV medicines.
• Leg ulcers: Tell your doctor if you have leg ulcers, because Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s can cause or worsen skin ulcers.
• High uric acid levels: Tell your doctor if your blood uric acid levels are high.
• Previous radiation therapy, chemotherapy or haemodialysis: If you have had radiation, chemotherapy or haemodialysis (machine treatment that cleans the blood when the kidneys fail), side effects are more likely and you will need closer monitoring.
• Allergy: Do not take Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s if you have had an allergic reaction to it or to any ingredient in it.

• The dose of Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s is worked out for each person based on body weight, the condition being treated, kidney function and blood counts.
• For sickle cell anaemia, adults usually start at 15 mg per kg of body weight once a day, and children usually start at 20 mg/kg. The doctor increases the dose gradually, based on blood counts, up to a usual maximum of 35 mg/kg a day.
• For cancer, a specialist sets the dose.
• If your kidneys work less well, the dose is usually halved. On dialysis days, it is taken after dialysis.
• Your doctor may change your dose or pause treatment based on your blood test results.
• Take only the dose your doctor prescribes. Never change it yourself.

Taking several times the normal dose can cause severe reactions in the skin and mouth. Signs include:

• Soreness, purplish-red colour and swelling on the palms and soles, followed by peeling of the hands and feet
• Darkening of the skin all over the body
• Sores in the mouth and throat

If you think someone has taken too much Adrea 500mg Capsule 10s, go to the nearest hospital emergency department straight away and take the medicine pack with you. If the person has collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing or cannot be woken, call emergency services immediately.

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your usual schedule.
• Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
• If you miss doses often, tell your doctor.

Contact your doctor or get emergency care right away if you notice:

• Fever, chills, sore throat, body aches or other signs of infection
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Black or tarry stools, or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• Extreme tiredness, weakness or pale skin
• New cough, shortness of breath or breathing problems
• Leg sores or ulcers that do not heal
• Pain, redness, swelling or blisters on the skin
• Stomach pain that spreads to the back
• Pain in the upper right side of the belly, or yellow skin or eyes
• Numbness, burning or tingling in the hands or feet
• Blood in the urine
• Fast heartbeat
• A positive pregnancy test, for you or your partner