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Hydroxyurea is a prescription antimetabolite used in several U.S. drug products. Generic 500 mg capsules are labeled for resistant chronic myeloid leukemia and selected locally advanced squamous cell cancers of the head and neck with chemoradiation. Other hydroxyurea products such as Droxia and Siklos are labeled for sickle cell anemia under product-specific criteria.
read more about hydroxyurea ...Hydroxyurea inhibits ribonucleotide reductase and suppresses DNA synthesis. This interferes with cell replication and contributes to its antineoplastic activity. In sickle cell anemia, hydroxyurea increases fetal hemoglobin and is used to reduce painful crises and blood transfusion requirements.
Use depends on the specific hydroxyurea product. Generic 500 mg capsules are used for resistant chronic myeloid leukemia and selected head and neck cancers. Siklos is labeled for adults and children age 2 and older with sickle cell anemia and recurrent moderate to severe painful crises, while Droxia is also labeled for sickle cell anemia with recurrent painful crises.
Dosing is product and indication specific. Generic cancer capsules use individualized dosing and a 50 percent dose reduction when creatinine clearance is below 60 mL per minute. Droxia starts at 15 mg per kg once daily, while Siklos starts at 15 mg per kg once daily in adults and 20 mg per kg once daily in children.
Hydroxyurea can cause severe myelosuppression and secondary malignancies. Other concerns include hemolytic anemia, fetal harm, skin cancer, cutaneous vasculitis, pulmonary toxicity, macrocytosis, and serious complications with selected antiretroviral medicines. Blood counts are monitored regularly, and product handling follows cytotoxic-drug precautions.
Product-specific uses include resistant chronic myeloid leukemia, selected head and neck cancers, and sickle cell anemia.
Yes. Droxia and Siklos are hydroxyurea products labeled to reduce painful crises and blood transfusion requirements in sickle cell anemia under their respective criteria.
Hydroxyurea can cause severe bone marrow suppression, so blood counts are checked regularly.
Yes. Current labels use dose reduction when kidney function is significantly impaired.
DailyMed - HYDREA (hydroxyurea) capsule. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=050bd2a2-a125-721a-e366-255c5466f018. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.
DailyMed - SIKLOS (hydroxyurea) tablet, film coated. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=76957c0d-0f98-4376-bb06-eee651adc09d. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.
Hydroxyurea. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682004.html. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.
Hydroxyurea. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/hydroxyurea. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.
Hydroxyurea. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3657. Date Accessed October 1, 2026.