What is Hydrea (Hydroxyurea)?
Hydrea (Hydroxyurea) is a prescription drug. It comes as a capsule you take by mouth. It is available as the brand-name drugs Hydrea and Droxia. Hydrea is also available as a generic drug. Droxia is not. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version.
Hydrea may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications
Why it's used
Hydrea is used to treat myeloid leukemia and head and neck cancers. It prevents cancer cells from growing. In people with sickle cell disease, hydroxyurea changes the shape of red blood cells to help prevent sickle cell crises.
How it works
Hydrea belongs to a class of drugs called antimetabolites. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
In people with cancer, Hydrea acts as a substitute for some parts that the cancer cells need to grow. Cancer cells take in Hydrea, which stops the cancer cell from growing. Cancer cells grow more rapidly than normal cells, so they are more affected by the drug. In patients with sickle cell disease, this drug changes the shape of red blood cells. This makes it less likely for sickle cell crises to occur.
How to take Dosage
All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:
- your age
- the condition being treated
- how severe your condition is
- other medical conditions you have
- how you react to the first dose
Hydrea (Hydroxyurea) Side Effects
The more common side effects of Hydrea can include:
- stomach pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
0 comments:
Post a Comment