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Can Hydrea Be Stopped Cold Turkey?

Posted on Wed, 22 Jun 2016

Question: My 92 year old mother is having chronic UTI's and associated hallucinations. She has been on Hydrea for 10 years unsupervised. When prescribed she had just had her colon perforated during a colonoscopy thus a resection. She was diagnosed after with thrombocytopenia and prescribed Hydrea. Her doctor left the practice shortly thereafter and her care was turned over to a PA who has been seeing her for many years. She lives in Sturgis SD and specialists are not available. I would like my sister (who has her care) take her off the Hydrea to see if she can't keep free of UTI's. This drug (and diagnosis) have been totally unsupervised or reviewed for these 10 years. My sister is afraid of medical consequences if Hydrea is stopped as in the case of steriods. Is there a physical or medical result for a patient if they are taken off the drug Hydrea cold? We need to stop these infections.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it can be stopped...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

hydrea can be stopped cold. If she had a very high platelet count though, it may rise again. Thrombocytopenia means a very low platelet count and hydrea is not normally given in such patients.

You'd better consult a hematologist before stopping it though. You haven't mentioned any diagnosis. I suppose it had to be a myeloproliferative disorder. If you have any test results from that time, it might help to find out.
Anyway, hydrea has nothing to do with steroids but be sure to check her blood counts regularly after stopping it.

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (19 hours later)

As it seems with most elderly, getting them to drink enough water is a challenge. This past week my mother was delusional and dehydrated. I have read that sports drinks are only good for the athletes. Is there a drink that helps the elderly stay hydrated? Should they be encouraged to use more salt? My mother is on BP medication but her pressure is normal or low. Her BP on 4/27 was 140/60. she weighs 150 and is about 5'3"

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
if she's so dehydrated then tests are required

Detailed Answer:
If she's so dehydrated then you can't just give her more fluids. Although the fluids will help her, electrolyte imbalance may cause problems. Sports drinks are not suitable for her. Most of them contain too much caffeine, which may cause arrhythmias and agitation.

Make sure she drinks enough to maintain a healthy urine production. Definitely more than 500mL per day (or more than 30mL per hour). Tests for her renal function and electrolytes are important to determine further hydration needs.

Kind Regards!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar