Hydroxyurea, an agent now commonly used to decrease the number of vaso-occlusive pain crises in patients with sickle cell disease, interferes with DNA synthesis, causing macrocytosis by which compliance with therapy may be monitored.

Can hydroxyurea cause macrocytic anemia?

macrocytosis is a common, and expected, side effect of hydroxyurea therapy in human patients. In fact, monitoring of peripheral macrocytosis has been used to assess adherence to treatment with hydroxyurea in human patients with sickle cell anemia.

What does hydroxyurea do to MCV?

Hydroxyurea is used in the treatment of sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia major to increase the content of hemoglobin F (HbF) and presumably ameliorate clinical symptoms. Under therapy with hydroxyurea an increase of the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of the erythrocytes can be observed.

What does hydroxyurea do to red blood cells?

Hydroxyurea makes your red blood cells bigger. It helps them stay rounder and more flexible — and makes them less likely to turn into a sickle shape. The medicine does this by increasing a special kind of hemoglobin called hemoglobin F. Hemoglobin F is also called fetal hemoglobin because newborn babies have it.

How does hydroxyurea cause megaloblastic anemia?

Hydroxyurea is an extremely toxic drug with a low therapeutic index. Since hydroxyurea inhibits DNA synthesis, it can result in significant toxicity, including myelosuppression. Furthermore, inhibition of DNA synthesis without affecting RNA synthesis may result in red blood cells becoming megaloblastic.

Macrocytic Anemia | Megaloblastic vs Non-Megaloblastic | Approach & Causes

42 related questions found

Can dapsone cause macrocytosis?

Hematologic side effects have been the most pronounced. These have included methemoglobinemia, aplastic anemia, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, eosinophilia, macrocytic anemia, and Heinz bodies.

Can hydroxyurea cause folate deficiency?

HYDREA may cause macrocytosis, which is self-limiting, and is often seen early in the course of treatment. The morphologic change resembles pernicious anemia, but is not related to vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.

Does hydroxyurea reduce red blood cells?

Hydroxyurea is used in adult patients with sickle cell anemia to prevent painful episodes and reduce the need for blood transfusions. It works by making the red blood cells more flexible.

What does hydroxyurea do for polycythemia vera?

Hydroxyurea is a cancer drug that slows down the growth of new cells in your body. In PV, it lowers the number of red blood cells and platelets, which are cells that help blood clot. If you take this drug, you may not need a treatment called phlebotomy.

Does hydroxyurea lower red blood cell count?

Hydroxyurea (HU) has been used in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) to reduce the frequency and severity of thrombotic complications of the disease. It acts by causing bone marrow depression, resulting in a decrease in platelet and leukocyte counts and in anemia with megaloblastosis.

What is the most common side effect of hydroxyurea?

The more common side effects of hydroxyurea can include: stomach pain. constipation. diarrhea.

What happens if you touch hydroxyurea?

If you touch an opened capsule or crushed tablet, wash your skin right away with soap and water. If powder from the capsule or crushed tablets get into your eyes, rinse them with water or an isotonic eyewash for at least 15 minutes.

How does hydroxyurea increase fetal hemoglobin?

Hydroxyurea induces fetal hemoglobin by the nitric oxide–dependent activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase.

Why do you need folic acid with hydroxyurea?

Hydroxyurea is not a drug that works immediately after one or two doses. It must be taken every day, along with folic acid, because the body makes new sickle cells every day.

Why does folate or B12 deficiency lead to Macrocytic anemia?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a cause of macrocytosis. Because DNA synthesis requires cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) as a cofactor, a deficiency of the vitamin leads to decreased DNA synthesis in the erythrocyte, thus resulting in macrocytosis.

Does hydroxyurea cause AML?

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in patients with sickle cell anemia receiving hydroxyurea treatment is exceptionally rare, but data on its true incidence are insufficient (1, 2).

Is hydroxyurea approved for polycythemia vera?

Hydroxyurea was recommended in the treatment of high-risk PV based on the results of the Polycythemia Vera Study Group (PVSG) protocol 08 in which this drug was found to be effective in reducing the rate of thrombotic events in 51 patients compared to historical controls treated with PHL alone.

What are two conditions that cause polycythemia?

What are the risk factors for polycythemia?

• Hypoxia from long standing (chronic) lung disease and smoking are common causes of polycythemia. ...
• Chronic carbon monoxide (CO) exposure can also be a risk factor for polycythemia.

Does hydroxyurea increase uric acid?

Hydrea may increase blood uric acid concentration. Hydrea should be used cautiously with uricosuric medications.

Does hydroxyurea suppress the immune system?

Hydroxyurea can weaken your immune system. Call your doctor at once if you have a fever, chills, body aches, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, bruising, or unusual bleeding.

Is hydroxyurea an immunosuppressant drug?

Objective: To demonstrate that, despite a dose-dependent cytostatic effect, hydroxyurea (HU) does not have immunosuppressive effects.

Does hydroxyurea lower hematocrit?

Hydroxyurea (Hydrea®)—The most commonly used myelosuppressive agent for PV is hydroxyurea, given by mouth. It helps reduce both the hematocrit concentration and the platelet count.

Can you take vitamins with hydroxyurea?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between hydroxyurea and Vitamin C. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

What is myelofibrosis?

Myelofibrosis is an uncommon type of bone marrow cancer that disrupts your body's normal production of blood cells. Myelofibrosis causes extensive scarring in your bone marrow, leading to severe anemia that can cause weakness and fatigue.

Why is hydroxyurea hazardous?

Hydroxyurea can cause a severe decrease in the number of blood cells in your bone marrow. This may increase the risk that you will develop a serious infection or bleeding.