Hydroxyurea- Miscellaneous cytotoxic drug and side effects

DESCRIPTION

Hydroxycarbamide or hydroxyurea is an antineoplastic drug used in myeloproliferativ disorders, specifically polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia.


PHARMACOKINETICS 
1. Well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Renal excretion is a pathway of elimination.
3. Half life is 3-4 hours.
4. Metabolism is hepatic.


THERAPEUTIC USES
1. This medication is used in people with sickle cell anemia to reduce the number of painful crises          caused by the disease and to reduce the need for blood transfusions.
2. It is also used to treat several types of cancer (such as chronic myelogenous leukemia,                          squamous cell carcinomas).
3. This drug may also be used to treat polycythemia vera  and thrombocythemia.


SIDE EFFECTS
1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Loss of appetite
4. Mouth sores
5. Diarrhea
6.     Constipation


DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS
1. Hydroxyurea + Probenecid = reduce the effectiveness of probenecid by increasing uric acid in            the body.
2. Hydroxyurea + Tuberculin purified protein derivative = reduced response to the skin test.
3. Hydroxyurea + Adalimumab = increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening                    infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
4. Hydroxyurea + Melphalan = increase the side effects of these medications, especially those that          affect your bone marrow function.


REFERENCE- Tripathi K.D. "Essentials of Medical Pharmacology", 7th Edition, page no- 858, 868, 874