Hydroxyurea

Generic name: Hydroxyurea

Drug class: Antimetabolites

Dosage form: Capsule, Tablet

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,1000 mg

Mechanism of action: Its mechanism of action involves interfering with DNA synthesis and inhibiting the replication of cells.

 Drug usage cases: Hydroxyurea is used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, 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 anemia. Hydroxyurea will not cure sickle cell anemia.

Drug contra indications: You should not use hydroxyurea if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease, HIV or AIDS (especially if you take antiviral medicine); high levels of uric acid in your blood; or kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis) a wound or ulcer on your leg treatment with an interferon, chemotherapy, or radiation. Using hydroxyurea may increase your risk of developing other types cancer or leukemia. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.

Side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Hydroxyurea may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet; skin numbness or purple discoloration; skin ulcers or open sores; sudden chest pain, wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath; low blood cell counts–fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed; or signs of liver or pancreas problems–loss of appetite, uppe`r stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Warnings: Using hydroxyurea may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia or skin cancer. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen when you are outdoors. Hydroxyurea can weaken your immune system. Call your doctor at once if you have a fever, chills, body aches, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, bruising, or unusual bleeding.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Both men and women using hydroxyurea should use birth control to prevent pregnancy. The use of hydroxyurea by either parent may cause birth defects. If you are a woman, keep using birth control for at least 6 months after your last dose of hydroxyurea. If you are a man, keep using birth control for at least 1 year after your last dose (6 months if you took Siklos). Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using this medicine. This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men. However, it is important to use birth control because hydroxyurea may harm the baby if a pregnancy does occur. You should not breastfeed while you are taking hydroxyurea.