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Same active ingredient — pay up to 17% less
These brands contain the same active ingredient (Hydroxyurea). Same strength and form. Confirm the switch with your doctor or pharmacist.
Indications & Uses
Pharmacology
Hydroxyurea is changed in the body into a free radical nitroxide, called NO. It moves by diffusion into cells, where it quenches the tyrosyl free radical at the active site of the M2 protein subunit of ribonucleotide reductase, which switches the enzyme off. The whole replicase complex, ribonucleotide reductase included, is shut down, and DNA synthesis is selectively blocked. This kills cells in the S phase and brings the cells that survive into step with one another. Hydroxyurea also stops the repair of DNA damaged by chemicals or radiation, which is why it may work well alongside radiation or alkylating agents. Hydroxyurea also raises the level of fetal hemoglobin. In sickle cell anemia this means fewer vasoocclusive crises. The rise in fetal hemoglobin happens because the NO produced from hydroxyurea activates soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC).
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Polycythaemia Vera: The usual adult dose is 15 to 20 mg/kg taken by mouth once a day.
Essential Thrombocythemia: The usual adult dose is 15 mg/kg taken by mouth once a day.
Solid Tumors
Intermittent Therapy: Take 80 mg/kg by mouth every three days.
Continuous Therapy: Take 20 to 30 mg/kg by mouth once a day (qDay).
Head & Neck Tumors: Start 80 mg/kg by mouth every three days (q3days), beginning seven days before radiation therapy starts.
Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia, Resistant: The usual adult dose is 20 to 40 mg/kg by mouth once a day.
Sickle Cell Disease: Start at 15 mg/kg per day as a single dose, and get blood cell counts checked every two weeks. The dose can be raised by 5 mg/kg per day every 12 weeks, but it should never go above 35 mg/kg per day.
Side Effects
Fever, feeling very tired, chills, shortness of breath, body aches, and bleeding or unexplained bruising.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Myelosuppression: Hydrea causes severe myelosuppression. Treatment with Hydrea should not be started if bone marrow function is markedly depressed. Bone marrow suppression may occur, and leukopenia is generally its first and most common sign. Some patients treated at the recommended initial dose of 15 mg/kg/day have experienced severe or life-threatening myelosuppression. Malignancies: Hydrea is a human carcinogen. Secondary leukemia has been reported in patients receiving long-term Hydrea for myeloproliferative disorders. Skin cancer has also been reported in patients receiving long-term Hydrea. Advise patients to protect themselves from sun exposure and monitor for the development of secondary malignancies. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on its mechanism of action and findings in animals, Hydrea can cause fetal harm when given to a pregnant woman.
Contraindications
Hydroxyurea must not be used in patients who have previously shown hypersensitivity to hydroxyurea or to any other ingredient of the formulation.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy category D. There are no adequate, well-controlled studies of hydroxyurea in pregnant women, and the drug carries a potential risk to the fetus, so women should avoid becoming pregnant while on treatment. Hydroxyurea also passes into human breast milk. Because a breastfed infant could be exposed to serious adverse effects from hydroxyurea, including a risk of cancer, breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Hydroxyurea can harm an unborn baby. This is based on animal studies and on how the medicine works. There are no data on its use in pregnant women, so the risk linked to the drug in pregnancy is not known.
Hydroxyurea passes into human milk. A breastfed baby could have serious adverse reactions from it, including carcinogenicity (cancer). For this reason, breastfeeding should be stopped during treatment with Hydroxyurea.
Overdose
Acute mucocutaneous toxicity has been reported in patients taking Hydroxyurea at doses several times higher than the therapeutic dose. These patients had soreness, violet erythema and edema on the palms and soles, followed by scaling of the hands and feet. Severe generalized hyperpigmentation of the skin and stomatitis were also seen.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep Hydroxyurea at or below 25°C, in a cool and dry place. Protect it from light. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Hydronix 500 mg
What is Hydronix 500 mg Capsule?
Hydronix 500 mg Capsule is a medicine that contains Hydroxyurea. It is made by Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC. It belongs to the Cytotoxic Chemotherapy group of medicines.
What is Hydronix used for?
Hydronix is used for: Anemia, Cancer.
What are the side effects of Hydronix?
Fever, feeling very tired, chills, shortness of breath, body aches, and bleeding or unexplained bruising.
Can I take Hydronix during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Pregnancy category D. There are no adequate, well-controlled studies of hydroxyurea in pregnant women, and the drug carries a potential risk to the fetus, so women should avoid becoming pregnant while on treatment. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Hydronix?
Acute mucocutaneous toxicity has been reported in patients taking Hydroxyurea at doses several times higher than the therapeutic dose. These patients had soreness, violet erythema and edema on the palms and soles, followed by scaling of the hands and feet. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Hydronix?
Keep Hydroxyurea at or below 25°C, in a cool and dry place. Protect it from light.
Can I take other medicines with Hydronix?
Some medicines can interact with Hydroxyurea, for example: Urea, Lactic Acid. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Is there a cheaper medicine with the same ingredient?
Hydrea by Everest Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has the same ingredient and strength for ৳15.00 per unit, compared with ৳18.00 for Hydronix. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching.
Do I need a prescription for Hydronix?
Hydronix is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.