Hydroxyurea is a medicine used to reduce the problems caused by sickle cell disease. Other names for this drug are Droxia and Hydrea. People with sickle cell disease have sickle-shaped red blood cells that can block blood flow. Hydroxyurea increases a type of hemoglobin, called fetal hemoglobin that makes the red blood cells bigger and helps them stay rounder and more flexible.
Hydroxyurea is also used to treat certain types of cancer. The dose of Hydroxyurea is different based on the health condition it is being used to treat.
Why is Hydroxyurea Helpful in Treating Sickle Cell Disease?
Research has shown that taking Hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease lowers the number of:
• Acute chest syndrome events
• Pain crises
• Blood transfusions
• Trips to the hospital
Abstract source
Original published date
Original source URL
Original source title
oneSCDvoice
Original updated date