Hydroxyurea

About Hydroxyurea

Hydroxycarbamide, also known as hydroxyurea, is a medication used in sickle-cell disease, chronic myelogenous leukemia, cervical cancer, and polycythemia vera.[1][2] In sickle-cell disease it increases hemoglobin and decreases the number of attacks.[1] It is taken by mouth.[1]

Common side effects include bone marrow suppression, fevers, loss of appetite, psychiatric problems, shortness of breath, and headaches.[1][2] There is also concern that it increases the risk of later cancers.[1] Use during pregnancy is typically harmful to the baby.[1] Hydroxycarbamide is in the antineoplastic family of medications. It is believed to work by blocking the making of DNA.[1]

Hydroxycarbamide was approved for medical use in the United States in 1967.[1] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.[3] Hydroxycarbamide is available as a generic medication.[1] The wholesale cost in the developing world is about US$0.35–0.47 per day.[4] In the United States it costs less than $25 a month.[5]