Hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea is an oral medication that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of sickle cell disease. Hydroxyurea can help reduce the amount of sickling of the red blood cells and can reduce the risk of serious complications of sickle cell anemia.

Children with sickle cell anemia are at a higher risk than the general population for multiple serious complications of the disease, including end-organ damage, pain crises, acute chest syndrome and strokes. Daily hydroxyurea use is recommended by most experts to treat sickle cell disease and can help prevent these complications. Daily hydroxyurea use is recommended for children ages 1 to 18 years with SCA. (Ref: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sickle-cell-disease/treatment)