Hydroxyurea (HYDREA)

Leukemia, both chronic and acute

Leukemia, both chronic and acute

• Oral: Many dosing regimens, please refer to specific chemotherapy protocol.
• Can be given in combination with chemotherapy

Available as 500 mg capsules. Contains lactose. Capsules should NOT be opened. Store at room temperature and protect from light.

Inhibits DNA synthesis

Take with or without food

If a dose is missed, patients should be instructed to take it as soon as they can if it is within 12 hours of the missed dose. If it is over 12 hours since the missed dose, patients should skip the missed dose and resume with the next scheduled dose.

• Anemia, Macrocytosis, Leukopenia, Thrombocytopenia, Skin ulceration, Rash, Hyperuricemia
• The adverse effects listed above are not exhaustive. Please refer to the relevant product monograph for full details.

Baseline before treatment: CBC & differential, SCr, AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, uric acid, LDH.

Monthly during treatment(consider more frequently if clinically indicated) - CBC & differential, SCr, AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, uric acid, LDH.

• Current drug interaction databases should be consulted for more information.

• Avoid in pregnancy and lactation.
• Hydroxyurea has the potential to enhance radiation injury to tissues.

BC Cancer. BC Cancer Drug Manual. Hydroxyurea.  Vancouver, British Columbia: BC Cancer Agency. Available at: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/drug-database-site/Drug%20Index/Hydroxyurea_monograph_1Oct2013.pdf. Updated October 1, 2013.  Accessed February 2, 2024.

Lexicomp.  Hydroxyurea Monograph. In: Lexi-Drugs. Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp, Inc. Available at: https://online-lexi-com.qe2a-proxy.mun.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/7060?cesid=7t4lHmnyJMq&searchUrl=%2Flco%2Faction%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dhydroxyurea%26t%3Dname%26acs%3Dfalse%26acq%3Dhydroxyurea. Updated January 24, 2024. Accessed January 26, 2024.

Cancer Care Ontario. Hydroxyurea Monograph. Drug Formulary. Toronto, Ontario: Cancer Care Ontario. Available at: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/drugformulary/drugs/monograph/43856. Updated March 2023. Accessed January 22, 2024.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada. HYDREA® Product Monograph. Montreal, Quebec. Updated February 10, 2020.