✅ 11 important information about the drug hydroxyurea used in the treatment of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) ⬇️⬇️

✅ The drug hydroxyurea works to increase HbF, thus reducing the need for blood transfusions.

✅ The drug reduces the number of hospital admissions for SCD patients, decreases pain, and acute chest syndrome.

✅ It is administered in cases of moderate to severe SCD for children over 6 months old.

✅ The drug dosage is 10-15 mg per kilogram of weight; it can be increased every 8 weeks by 5 mg up to a dose of 35 mg/kg.

✅ The increase in dosage is based on MCV and HbF tests.

✅ We monitor CBC every two weeks initially, then every six weeks once we stabilize on a fixed dose.

✅ The response to the drug takes 3 to 6 months.

✅ The drug is stopped in one of the following cases: if the hemoglobin (Hb) level drops below 4.5 g/dl, absolute neutrophil count drops below 2000, or platelet count drops below 80,000 or reticulocyte count drops below 80,000.

✅ When resuming the drug after stopping, we start with a dose 5 mg lower than before.

✅ We give it with folic acid as it helps to mask the symptoms of folic acid deficiency.

✅ It is not given to pregnant or breastfeeding women.

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