Hydroxyurea

Pronunciation: hye-DROX-ee-ure-EE-a
Generic Name: Hydroxyurea
Brand Name: Droxia

Hydroxyurea may cause severe, sometimes life-threatening side effects. With long-term use in patients with cell development disorders, secondary leukemias have been reported. It is unknown if this is related to Hydroxyurea or to the patient's underlying cell disorder.

Hydroxyurea is used for:

Reducing the number of painful episodes and blood transfusions needed by adults with sickle cell anemia experiencing recurrent episodes associated with moderate to severe pain. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Hydroxyurea is an antineoplastic agent. Exactly how it works is not known, but it is thought to increase the ability of deformed red blood cells to change shape, which may lessen pain associated with sickle cell anemia.

Do NOT use Hydroxyurea if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Hydroxyurea


• you have severe bone marrow depression, low white blood cell counts, low blood platelet levels, or severe anemia


• if you are taking didanosine or stavudine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Hydroxyurea:

Some medical conditions may interact with Hydroxyurea. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have kidney or liver problems


• if you take medicine for HIV infection

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Hydroxyurea. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Didanosine or stavudine because the risk of side effects, such as inflammation of the pancreas, may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Hydroxyurea may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Hydroxyurea:

Use Hydroxyurea as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Hydroxyurea. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Take Hydroxyurea by mouth with or without food.


• Wash your hands before and after handling Hydroxyurea or the bottle it comes in. Wear gloves while you are handling Hydroxyurea or its bottle. Follow your doctor's instructions for disposing of the gloves after you remove them.


• If you have difficulty swallowing, empty the contents of the capsule into a glass of water and drink immediately. Use care when emptying the capsule into water. Do not allow the powder to come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes and do not inhale the powder when opening the capsules. If the powder is spilled, it should be immediately wiped up with a damp towel and disposed of, as should the empty capsules.


• Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Hydroxyurea is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.


• Do not use Hydroxyurea if the expiration date has passed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to properly dispose of expired medicine.


• Taking Hydroxyurea at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.


• If you miss a dose of Hydroxyurea, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Hydroxyurea.

Important safety information:

• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Hydroxyurea before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Hydroxyurea may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Hydroxyurea may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Hydroxyurea may harm your liver or cause burning, numbness, or tingling of your arms, hands, legs, or feet if you take it with certain HIV medicines (eg, didanosine, stavudine). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about this information.


• Avoid vaccinations with live virus vaccines (eg, measles, mumps, oral polio) while you are taking Hydroxyurea. Vaccinations may be less effective.


• Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control while they are taking Hydroxyurea. Check with your doctor if you have questions about effective birth control.


• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, kidney function, liver function, and platelet counts, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Hydroxyurea with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Hydroxyurea is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Hydroxyurea has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are using it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Hydroxyurea while you are pregnant. Hydroxyurea is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Hydroxyurea.

Possible side effects of Hydroxyurea:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; drowsiness; hair loss; inflammation of the mouth; loss of appetite; nausea; redness of the face.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood disorders, including low numbers of red or white blood cells; blood in the urine; chills; diarrhea; fever; inflammation of the pancreas; lower back or abdominal pain; painful urination; persistent cough; secondary leukemia; shortness of breath; skin cancer; skin sores or lesions; sore throat; sores on the mouth or lips; symptoms of liver toxicity (eg, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, severe stomach pain); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Hydroxyurea side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dark discoloration of the skin; mouth sores; soreness; swelling of the palms and soles of the feet, followed by scaling of the skin.

Proper storage of Hydroxyurea:

Store Hydroxyurea at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Hydroxyurea out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Hydroxyurea, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Hydroxyurea is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Hydroxyurea. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Hydroxyurea resources

• Hydroxyurea Side Effects (in more detail)
• Hydroxyurea Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Hydroxyurea Drug Interactions
• Hydroxyurea Support Group
• 5 Reviews for Hydroxyurea - Add your own review/rating

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