by Dr Pandula Siribaddana

Created on: October 21, 2010

What is Droxia?

Droxia is a brand name given to a medicine capsule containing the active ingredient ‘hydroxyurea’. The medicine acts over certain cells in the body which replicate rapidly. Thus, Droxia has shown to be effective in conditions such as melanoma, chronic myelocytic leukemia, ovarian cancers, skin cancers of the head and neck, as well as for sickle cell anemia. But, due to its non-specific nature, it can affect some of the perfectly healthy tissues such as the bone marrow and thereby lead to certain side effects associated with Droxia.

What are the important factors needing consideration before using Hydroxyurea?

One of the important factors to remember is to avoid using Droxia in case the patient has an allergy to hydroxyurea or any of the constituents of this medication. At the same time, its affect over bone marrow makes it necessary for a person to undergo frequent monitoring of blood counts along with avoiding instances of possible infections as well as occurrences of injury. Furthermore, liver disease and renal diseases are something which needs to be monitored closely as the drug can potentiate any active disease processes. When considering whom should take this medication, pregnant mothers and breastfeeding mothers should avoid Droxia as it can cause harm to the baby.

What are the possible side effects of Droxia?

Among the side effects, allergic reactions should be considered rather important even though it is relatively rare. Thus, appearance of skin itch, swelling of the lips, face, tongue and the throat, breathing difficulties…etc should be taken in seriously and urgent medical attention should be given.

When considering the more common side effects, skin rashes, itching, constipation, leg sores, headache, hair loss, facial flushing, dizziness and drowsiness should be considered topping the list. Although these side effects do not posses much danger, persistence of these effects as well as its interference in everyday activities should prompt obtaining medical advice from your doctor.

Looking further into the side effects, appearance of side effects such as high fever, chills, red spots in the skin, skin ulcerations, darkening of the skin, flu like symptoms, appetite loss, diarrhea, mouth sores, white patches in the mouth…etc needs to be informed to your doctor as soon as possible and necessary advise needs to be taken. At the same time, if one develops easy bruising, bleeding or weakness which cannot be explained, prompt medical advice should be taken in these instances as well.

Lastly, it should be remembered that, although this article is comprehensive as much as possible, one should refer the manufacturer literature in order to obtain a complete set of side effects and uses.

Learn more about this author, Dr Pandula Siribaddana.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.