Side effects
Alopecia, hallucinations, convulsions, drowsiness, and disorientation. Hyperuricemia, renal failure, rash, hyperpigmentation, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. Skin reactions, headaches, dizziness, and pulmonary oedema.
Interactions
Drug interactions with hydroxyurea (more information) More information on hydroxyurea Drug class: antimetabolites Dosage information Pregnancy and breastfeeding Reviews (30) Drug images Alternatives Pricing & coupons En espaol Patient resources Advanced Reading Hydroxyurea Tablets Hydroxyurea Capsules 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg Hydroxyurea Capsules 500 mg Other brands Hydrea, Droxia, Siklos, Mylocel Professional resources Prescribing Information Related treatment guides Anemia, Sickle Cell C Other drugs may affect hydroxyurea, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. When taking hydroxyurea, some medications can make serious side effects more likely. Inform your doctor about all of your current medications as well as any new or discontinued ones. If you are also taking antiviral medication or an interferon, let your doctor know.
Contraindications
Keep your distance from anyone who may be contagious (such as those with the flu, measles, or chickenpox). Avoid interacting with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine, such as a nasal flu shot. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Before taking hydroxyurea, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of your medical history before taking this medication, particularly of kidney, liver, blood/bone marrow disorders (such as neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia), HIV infection, high blood uric acid levels, and radiation therapy. It is not advised to breastfeed while taking this medication. Before breastfeeding, talk to your doctor. For more information or if you believe you may have been exposed to an infection, speak with your doctor. If you already have an infection, hydroxyurea may make it worse. A fetus could suffer from hydroxyurea toxicity. A nursing infant may experience unfavorable effects from hydroxyurea if it enters breast milk. Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner start to feel pregnant. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this medication with your doctor if you intend to father a child. If this medication has an impact on sperm, it is unknown. While taking this medication and for a year after stopping treatment, men with female partners who are childbearing should inquire about effective birth control methods. The adverse effects of this medication may be more noticeable in older adults. Observe the Warning section as well. For more information, speak to your pharmacist. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Before getting any shots or immunizations, let your doctor know that you're using hydroxyurea. Inactive ingredients in this product have the potential to cause allergic reactions or other issues. To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured, use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid activities such as contact sports. Women of childbearing age should inquire about trustworthy birth control options while taking this medication and for six months after stopping it. While taking hydroxyurea, you shouldn't get pregnant.
The company announced the software upgrade on May 8 — World Thalassemia Day. Fetal hemoglobin, or HbF, is a form of hemoglobin normally produced during fetal development. Results from the study, conducted at the pediatric SCD Clinic at Korle Bu, are expected to be published later this year, according to Hemex.
“Research has been unclear over whether the changes in immune response caused by hydroxyurea could increase the risk of malaria,” Dr. Chandy John, the study’s principal investigator, said in a press release. Sub-Saharan Africa is also known for its high-rates of sickle cell anemia, with more than half of children with the disease dying by age 5. Hydroxyurea, a treatment recommended for children with sickle cell anemia (SCA), doesn’t increase the risk of malaria infection in sub-Saharan African countries where malaria is endemic, clearing up previous suspicions, a new study finds. Moreover, children receiving hydroxyurea had lower rates of pain crises and hospitalizations. Children also received standard bed netting to protect their beds from mosquitoes, as well as anti-malaria medication.
An oral form of cytarabine is available in Japan. They include a temporary drop in bone marrow function, causing a fall in white blood cell count that increases the risk of severe infection; a drop in red cell count (anemia), causing fatigue and shortness of breath; and a drop in platelet numbers in the blood, causing bleeding or bruising. Myelotoxicity may be increased in patients who are recovering from the effects of prior chemotherapy or those who have received radioactive phosphorus or radiation to marrow-bearing bones. The dose of busulfan in this setting depends on the protocol, ranging from 8 to 16 mg/kg given over four days. This metabolite then damages DNA via multiple mechanisms including the inhibition of alpha-DNA polymerase, inhibition of DNA repair through an effect on beta-DNA polymerase, and, most importantly, incorporation into DNA.
Children in the dose-escalation group had fewer sickle cell-related adverse events (incidence rate ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34 to 0.54), vaso-occlusive pain crises (incidence rate ratio, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.56), cases of acute chest syndrome or pneumonia (incidence rate ratio, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.56), transfusions (incidence rate ratio, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.20 to 0.43), and hospitalizations (incidence rate ratio, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.34). Results: • Children received hydroxyurea at a fixed dose (94 children; mean [±SD] age, 4.6±1.0 years) or with dose escalation (93 children; mean age, 4.8±0.9 years); the mean doses were 19.2±1.8 mg per kilogram per day and 29.5±3.6 mg per kilogram per day, respectively. Dosing standards remain undetermined, however, and whether escalation to the maximum tolerated dose confers clinical benefits that outweigh treatment-related toxic effects is unknown. authors: Chandy C. John, Robert O. Opoka, Teresa S. Latham, Heather A. Hume, Catherine Nabaggala, Phillip Kasirye, Christopher M. Ndugwa, Adam Lane, Russell E. Ware Background: • Hydroxyurea has proven safety, feasibility, and efficacy in children with sickle cell anemia in sub-Saharan Africa, with studies showing a reduced incidence of vaso-occlusive events and reduced mortality.