Hydroxyurea Dosage, Interactions, Side Effects, How to Use

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Husband's multiple Problems My husband has been on hydroxurea for a couple years along with about 13 more meds. This medicine in his case, was for extremely high blood platelets.  Also he has copd; asbestosis with benign tumor in his lung; atrial heart fibril... by Joyce Graham in Anderson, S.c., 11/12/2009

Hydroxyurea used for Thrombocytemia My mother is 94 years old and had suffer from thrombocytemia for the pat five years. She has been on Hydroxurea when all of a sudden the side effects started to appear. Low white cells and low red cells . Her hematologist tried to change the medecine ... by Marylou in California usa, 05/07/2006

Polycythemia and Hydroxyurea treatment When is Hydroxyurea used in Polycythemia treatment and can it be avoided. I am curently treated with phlebothomy . All my tests and organ catscan are good . My hematologist told me that he will start me on Hydroxyurea shortly regardless of the results... by Alina G, 03/03/2006

Can 500 mg per day cause gastritis or ulcer? My wife has been taking hydroxyurea since Dec. 15, 2005 for PVera blood condition. She was hospitalized for ischemic colitis in the colon on Dec. 13th, and has now fully recovered. Her white blood cell count was 29,000 , but after taking hydrea it now... by Bernard S. Pollock in Atlanta, GA, 02/27/2006

Hydroxyurea
Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)
Hydroxyurea
(hy- DROX-ee-you- ree-ah)
Pregnancy Category: D Droxia Hydrea (Abbreviation: HYD) (Rx)

Classification: Antineoplastic, antimetabolite

See Also: See also Antineoplastic Agents .

Action/Kinetics: Inhibits DNA synthesis but not synthesis of RNA or protein. As an antimetabolite, it interferes with the conversion of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides due to blockade of the ribonucleotide reductase system. May also inhibit incorporation of thymidine into DNA. Effectiveness in sickle cell anemia may be due to increases in hemoglobin F levels in RBCs, decrease in neutrophils, increases in the water content of RBCs, increases the deformability of sickled cells, and altered adhesion of RBCs to the endothelium. Rapidly absorbed from GI tract. Peak serum concentration: 1-2 hr. t 1/2: 3-4 hr. Crosses the blood-brain barrier. Degraded in liver; 80% excreted through the urine with 50% unchanged; also excreted as respiratory CO 2.

Uses: Chronic, resistant, myelocytic leukemia. Carcinoma of the ovary (recurrent, inoperable, or metastatic). Melanoma. With irradiation to treat primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (but not the lip). Sickle cell anemia (Droxia). Investigational: Thrombocytopenia, HIV, psoriasis.

Contraindications: Leukocyte count less than 2,500/mm 3 or thrombocyte count less than 100,000/mm 3. Severe anemia.

Special Concerns: Use during pregnancy only if benefits clearly outweigh risks. Give with caution to clients with marked renal dysfunction. Geriatric clients may be more sensitive to the effects of hydroxyurea necessitating a lower dose. Dosage has not been established in children.

Additional Side Effects: Erythrocyte abnormalities including megaloblastic erythropoiesis. Constipation, redness of the face, maculopapular rash.

Laboratory Test Alterations: Serum uric acid, BUN, and creatinine.

How Supplied: Capsule: 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg

Dosage
?Capsules Solid tumors, intermittent therapy or when used together with irradiation.
Dose individualized. Usual: 80 mg/kg as a single dose every third day. Intermittent dosage offers advantage of reduced toxicity. If effective, maintain client on drug indefinitely unless toxic effects preclude such a regimen.
Solid tumors, continuous therapy.
20-30 mg/kg/day as a single dose.
Resistant chronic myelocytic leukemia.
20-30 mg/kg/day in a single dose or two divided daily doses.
Concomitant therapy with irradiation for carinoma of the head and neck.
80 mg/kg as a single dose every third day.
Sickle cell anemia.
Initial: 15 mg once daily. Base dosage on the smaller of ideal or actual body weight. Increase dose gradually to the maximum tolerated dose or to 35 mg/kg/day.