Hydroxyurea oral capsule is used to treat myeloid leukemia and head and neck cancers. It’s also used to treat sickle cell disease.

In cancer, Hydroxyurea works by blocking an enzyme (ribonucleotidereductase) which is required for synthesis of DNA. This prevents the cancer cells from growing and multiplying. In sickle cell disease, it works by increasing fetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels in red blood cells (RBCs). This helps the RBCs assume a normal shape, improves blood flow and protects against complications such as painful sickle cell episodes.

Major & minor side effects for Hydroxyurea

• Nausea and Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Dizziness
• Chills and fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Hair loss
• Lower back or side pain

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary.

This medicine causes may cause bone marrow suppression which in turn lowers the white blood cell count (neutrophils) and platelets.

This medicine is known to cause secondary cancers especially leukemia and skin cancers.

This medicine is known to cause blood vessel toxicities like vasculitic ulcerations and gangrene, especially in patients who are on interferon therapy.

This medicine is not recommended for use in combination with antiretroviral agents for HIV disease and it may cause treatment failure and toxicities (in some cases fatal) in HIV patients.

The use of this medicine by either of the parents may cause serious birth defects.

Use of this medicine may cause dizziness in some patients.