Hydroxyurea (Hydrea)
General information
Class/mechanism: Exact mechanism unclear, but data suggests that hydroxyurea inhibits DNA synthesis by inhibiting ribonucleotide reductase, which inhibits cancer cell growth. May sensitize tumors to radiation by keeping cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, where they are most vulnerable to radiation, and/or by interfering with DNA repair processes. Does not appear to affect RNA and protein synthesis.[1][2]
Route: PO
Extravasation: n/a
For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias such as Micromedex, Lexicomp, UpToDate (courtesy of Lexicomp), or the prescribing information.[1]
Diseases for which it is used
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Central nervous system (CNS) cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Essential thrombocythemia
- Head and neck cancer
- Hypereosinophilic syndrome
- Polycythemia vera
- Sickle cell anemia
Patient drug information
- Hydroxyurea (Hydrea) patient drug information (Chemocare)[3]
- Hydroxyurea (Hydrea) patient drug information (UpToDate)[4]
History of changes in FDA indication
- 12/7/1967: Initial FDA approval
Also known as
Synonyms | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
APO-Hydroxyurea | Biosupressin | Cytodrox | Dhnp | Droxia | |||
Droxiurea | Durea | GEN-Hydroxyurea | Hidrea | Hidroxiurea Delta Farma | |||
Hidroxiurea Martian | Hidroxiurea Microsules | Hondrea | Hydab | Hydrea | |||
Hydrine | Hydrourea | Hydroxycarbam | Hydroxycarbamid | Hydroxycarbamide | |||
Hydroxyurea | Hydroxyurea Medac | Hytas | Litalir | Myelostat | |||
Mylocel | Neodrea | Onco Carbide | Syrea | Ureax |
References
- Drug index
- Chemotherapy
- DNA synthesis inhibitors
- Acute myeloid leukemia medications
- Central nervous system (CNS) cancer medications
- Cervical cancer medications
- Essential thrombocythemia medications
- Head and neck cancer medications
- Hypereosinophilic syndrome medications
- Polycythemia vera medications
- Sickle cell anemia medications
- Drugs FDA approved in 1967
- WHO Essential Cancer Medicine