Details

Hydroxyurea affects certain cells in the body, such as cancer cells or sickled red blood cells. Hydroxyurea is used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia, ovarian cancer, and certain types of skin cancer (squamous cell cancer of the head and neck). Hydroxyurea is also used to reduce pain episodes and the need for blood transfusions in people with sickle cell anaemia. Hydroxyurea will not cure sickle cell anaemia. Using hydroxyurea may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukaemia or skin cancer. To make sure hydroxyurea is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have bone marrow suppression or anaemia (low red blood cells) low levels of platelets in your blood a history of skin cancer high levels of uric acid in your blood HIV or AIDS kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis) liver disease a pancreas disorder or f you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation. Do not use hydroxyurea if you are pregnant. Both men and women taking this medicine should use birth control to prevent pregnancy. Hydroxyurea use by either parent may cause birth defects. After the last dose of hydroxyurea, a man must use birth control for much longer than a woman.

Typical Uses

Hydroxyurea is used in people with sickle cell anaemia to reduce the number of painful crises caused by the disease and to reduce the need for blood transfusions. It is also used to treat several types of cancer (such as chronic myelogenous leukaemia, squamous cell carcinomas). This drug may also be used to treat polycythemia vera and thrombocythemia.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of hydroxyurea include skin numbness or purple discoloration, skin ulcers or open sores painful or difficult urination numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet signs of a weak immune system-fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat, pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, easy bruising or bleeding pancreas problems-severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate or liver problems-nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drug Interactions

• Hydroxyurea+adalimumab- Using adalimumab together with hydroxyurea may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Hydroxyurea+certolizumab- Using hydroxyurea together with certolizumab may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Hydroxyurea+clozapine- Using clozapine together with hydroxyurea is not recommended. Clozapine can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as hydroxyurea may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.
• Hydroxyurea+deferiprone- Deferiprone can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as hydroxyurea may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.
• Hydroxyurea+fingolimod- Using fingolimod together with hydroxyurea may increase the risk of serious infections. Because fingolimod can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it.

Mechanism of action

Hydroxycarbamide causes inhibition of DNA synthesis during the S-phase of cell division by acting as a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor resulting to cell death. It is S-phase specific.

Pregnancy Category : D