Hydroxyurea or hydroxycarbamide (the latter being the recommended International Non-Proprietary Name), (brand names include Hydrea®) is an antineoplastic drug used in hematological malignancies. It is also used as an antiretroviral agent (e.g., against HIV). Its mechanism of action is believed to be based on its inhibition of the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase.

Uses

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• Polycythemia vera
• Chronic myelogenous leukemia
• Essential thrombocytosis
• Sickle-cell disease (selectively breaks down cells that are prone to sickle, as well as increasing fetal hemoglobin content)
• AIDS as an adjunct to ddI in combination antiretroviral therapies
• Biochemical research as an agent that causes ribonucleotide depletion and results in DNA double strand breaks near replication forks (see DNA repair)

Dose

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500 milligrams once or twice a day, or more if pancytopenia does not develop.

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