Hydroxyurea

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from various organisations for the “joint development and commercialisation” of low dose or paediatric oral formulation of hydroxyurea to treat sickle cell disease in India.

About Hydroxyurea (taken orally in the form of capsules or tablets)

• It's a medication used to treat certain types of cancer, such as chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) and some head and neck cancers, as well as to reduce the frequency of painful crises in people with sickle cell anemia.

• It works by slowing the growth of rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells and bone marrow cells that produce abnormal red blood cells in sickle cell disease.

✓ Hydroxyurea inhibits the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase, which is crucial for DNA synthesis. It is used to decrease the high platelet count, reducing the risk of thrombosis.

✓ Polycythemia Vera condition involves the overproduction of red blood cells. Hydroxyurea helps reduce the red blood cell count, lowering the risk of blood clots & other complications.

Common side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, mouth sores, hair loss, and skin rash, decreasing levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood.