General information regarding Hydrea (Hydroxyurea). Content created leveraging AI with the goal of bridging access across communities. Please flag any suggestions or errors in the comment section. Thank you!

Hydroxyurea, also known as hydroxycarbamide, is an antineoplastic agent used to treat various conditions, including sickle cell anemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and polycythemia vera. Here's a brief overview of its pharmacology:

Mechanism of Action
Hydroxyurea works by inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase, an enzyme involved in DNA synthesis. This inhibition leads to a decrease in DNA production, which is particularly effective in rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells and sickle-shaped red blood cells in sickle cell anemia1.

Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Hydroxyurea is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, with peak plasma concentrations reached within 2 hours after oral administration.

Metabolism: It is minimally metabolized in the body.

Excretion: The drug is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine.

Half-Life: The elimination half-life is approximately 2 to 4 hours.

Dosage and Administration
Sickle Cell Anemia: The typical dose is 15 mg/kg/day, divided into two or three doses.

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: The dose can vary, but a common regimen is 500 mg twice daily.

Polycythemia Vera: The dose is usually 500 mg daily.

Indications
Hydroxyurea is indicated for the reduction of painful crises and the need for blood transfusions in adults and children with sickle cell anemia. It is also used for the treatment of essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera.

Side Effects
Common side effects include bone marrow suppression, fevers, loss of appetite, psychiatric problems, shortness of breath, and headaches. There is also a concern that it may increase the risk of secondary cancers1.

Contraindications
Hydroxyurea is contraindicated in patients with bone marrow suppression, severe renal impairment, and pregnancy

#Hydroxyurea #Hydroxycarbamide

Considerations for L-glutamine oral powder as a treatment option for sickle cell disease over the traditional hydroxyurea approach.

We take a look at what happened with the once touted miracle drug.

Mk's Medical review on Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell
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OUR THEME:
Together we can make a difference and "break the sickle cycle"

OUR MISSION
To maximize the life potential of individuals living with sickle cell disease

To enable individuals with sickle cell trait to make informed decisions with respect to family planning.

To provide education and testing for the general public

Hydroxyurea is a common oral chemotherapy drug used for blood cancers like chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), polycythemia vera, and essential thrombocythemia.
In this video, Dr. CARES explains what this medication does, how it works, and what patients and families should watch out for — in a warm, conversational format with a patient's husband.

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Haifa Kathrin Al-Ali, MD from University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany discusses the unmet medical need of patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), by outlining her arguments for new treatment options. Currently, all treatment guidelines are based on the risk of thrombosis. If the patient is low-risk based on age or history of thrombosis, they receive phlebotomy or low dose aspirin. If they are high risk they will receive high-dose aspirin and hydroxyurea, or a second line of treatment of interferon alpha. However even with these treatments thrombotic events still occur, highlighting how these drug are ineffective. Furthermore, recent studies have shown these treatments are related to disease-burden symptoms in patients with PV and ET. Dr Al-Ali also discusses hydroxyurea resistance. Recorded at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2016 Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Andreas E. Kulozik, MD, PhD, Hopp-Children’s Cancer Research Center (KiTZ), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany, describes the different mechanisms of action of hydroxyurea in the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). Hydroxyurea induces hemoglobin F and affects the adherence of cells to the endothelium of blood vessels, which helps to reduce the incidence of vaso-occlusive crises and other complications of SCD. This interview took place at the Transplantation & Cellular Therapy (TCT) Meetings of ASTCT™ and CIBMTR® 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Filmed on location in Zagreb, Croatia during the European Focus on Myeloproliferative Neoplasms and Myelodysplastic Syndromes from 24-26 April 2015, this webcast is part of a series that focuses on current practices, management approaches, and emerging treatment options.

In this presentation, Dr. Alberto Alvarez-Larrán discucsses hydroxyurea intolerance/resistance in the treatment of Polycythemia vera.

© 2015 Imedex, LLC.

Moving on to treatment strategies, the panel reviews hydroxyurea’s role as mainstay therapy for sickle cell disease.

Hydroxyurea medication has proven to be a game-changer for many individuals suffering from conditions such as sickle cell disease and certain types of cancer. The primary benefit of hydroxyurea is its ability to increase the production of fetal hemoglobin, which helps prevent sickle cell crises and reduces the severity of symptoms associated with sickle cell disease.
Studies have shown that hydroxyurea can significantly reduce the frequency of painful episodes, hospitalizations, and the need for blood transfusions in individuals with sickle cell disease.
Additionally, hydroxyurea has been effective in treating certain types of cancer, such as chronic myeloid leukemia and some forms of solid tumors. It works by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and reducing the size of tumors, leading to improved outcomes for patients.
It's important to note that the benefits of hydroxyurea medication may vary from person to person, and it is crucial to work closely with your healthcare provider to determine if this medication is the right choice for you.
Common Side Effects of Hydroxyurea Medication.
Like any medication, hydroxyurea does come with potential side effects. However, it's essential to remember that not everyone experiences these side effects, and they can vary in severity from person to person.
Some of the common side effects of hydroxyurea include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. These gastrointestinal symptoms can be managed with dietary modifications, such as eating smaller, more frequent meals and staying hydrated.
Another common side effect is mild to moderate bone marrow suppression, which can lead to a decrease in red and white blood cell counts. Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor these levels and make any necessary adjustments to the dosage of hydroxyurea.
In rare cases, hydroxyurea may cause more severe side effects, such as skin ulcers, lung toxicity, or liver damage. It is crucial to report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider immediately to ensure timely intervention and management of these side effects.
Strategies to Minimize Side Effects.
While some side effects of hydroxyurea medication are unavoidable, there are strategies you can employ to minimize their impact on your daily life and overall well-being.
First and foremost, open and honest communication with your healthcare provider is key. By sharing any concerns or side effects you may be experiencing, your healthcare provider can offer guidance and make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help minimize side effects. This includes eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, getting regular exercise, and managing stress levels.
If you experience gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea or vomiting, your healthcare provider may recommend anti-nausea medications or suggest dietary modifications. It's important to follow these recommendations and keep track of any changes in your symptoms.

"DISCLAIMER: The content of this video is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for medical consultation. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional before taking any medication or starting any treatment. Treatments and medications should be prescribed and supervised by a qualified medical doctor only. Individual results may vary and the effectiveness of any treatment mentioned in this video is not guaranteed. Do not self-medicate, if you have any health problems, it is important to seek medical help immediately.



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Hydrea is used to reduce the number of painful crises caused by sickle cell anemia and to reduce the need for blood transfusions. It is also used to treat certain types of cancer such as chronic myelogenous leukemia and squamous cell carcinomas. The daily dosage and optimal timing for taking Hydrea will depend on your specific condition, so it's important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
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The addition of Jakafi (ruxolitinib) to the treatment paradigm of patients with polycythemia vera (PV) was a gamechanger. And while the drug has been providing promising outcomes so far, there are still some side effects that patients and providers should look out for, explained Srdan Verstovsek, M.D., Ph.D., a medical oncologist and professor in the Department of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Jakafi acts as an immune suppressor, which puts some patients at higher risk for infections. Also, the drug may increase a person’s risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma – a non-melanoma skin cancer – for patients with a history or high risk of the disease. These are concerns that patients and their health care team should be aware of and monitor closely.

The primary thrombocythemia (PT)-1 trial (NCT00175838) comprises a series of three studies, which have been running since 1997 and include very large cohorts. PT, also known as essential thrombocythemia (ET), is a chronic disease, so long-term studies like this are essential. Speaking from American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta, GA, Claire Harrison, MD, DM, FRCP, FRCPath, of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK, discusses the results of one of the arms of the study, which was presented at the meeting. This arm explored the pre-emptive addition of hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) to aspirin in intermediate risk ET, investigating whether this reduced the risk of vascular events, or myelofibrotic or leukemic transformation. Prof. Harrison highlights how the results of this will influence patient treatment moving forwards.

Claire Harrison, MD, FRCP, FRCPath from Guys' and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK discusses hydroxyurea in the treatment of essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera, including its side effects.