♦Hydroxyurea

(hye-drox-ee-yoor-ee’-ya)

Hydrea

Pregnancy Category D

Mechanism of Action

Unknown. It is thought to cause an immediate inhibition of DNA synthesis without interfering with the synthesis of RNA or protein.

Indications

♦ Melanoma

♦ Resistant chronic myelocytic leukemia

♦ Recurrent, inoperable, metastatic carcinoma of the ovary

♦ Local control (concomitant with irradiation) of primary squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma of the head and neck, excluding the lip

Metabolism/Excretion

Metabolized in the liver; excreted through the kidneys. Half-life: 3 to 4 hours.

Dosage Range

Adult

Dosage determination should be based on the patient’s actual or ideal weight, whichever is less.

♦ Solid tumors: Intermittent therapy: 80 mg/kg PO as a single dose every 3 days. Continuous therapy: 20 to 30 mg/kg PO as a single dose daily. Concomitant therapy with irradiation: Carcinoma of the head and neck: 80
mg/kg PO as a single dose every third day. Give the hydroxyurea dose ≥7 days before initiating radiation therapy; therapy is continued indefinitely provided that the patient can be monitored closely for adverse effects. The dose of radiation therapy does not need to be adjusted when given concurrently with hydroxyurea.

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