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Hydrea (hydroxyurea)

From , former About.com Guide

Updated January 21, 2007

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Definition:
A prescription drug approved for the treatment of sickle-cell anemia and some forms of cancer. Hydroxyurea blocks an enzyme produced by human cells. This enzyme makes building blocks used by cells that are multiplying. Cancer cells multiply very quickly, so when hydroxyurea blocks this enzyme, the cancer grows more slowly.

At one time Hydrea was prescribed as a part of salvage HIV therapies however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) never approved the drug for the treatment of HIV.

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