hepatitis, diabetes.

#####  ACTION

Inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by incorporating itself into viral DNA, resulting in chain termination. **Therapeutic Effect:** Impairs HIV replication, slowing progression of HIV infection.

#####  PHARMACOKINETICS

Rapidly, extensively absorbed from GI tract. Protein binding: less than 4%. Excreted primarily in urine. **Half-life:** 10 hrs.

#####    ​LIFESPAN CONSIDERATIONS

**Pregnancy/Lactation:** Breastfeeding not recommended. **Pregnancy Category B. Children:** Safety and efficacy not established. **Elderly:** Age-related renal impairment may require dosage adjustment.

#####  INTERACTIONS

**DRUG:** None significant. **HERBAL:** None significant. **FOOD:** None known. **LAB VALUES:** May increase serum amylase, lipase, ALT, AST, triglycerides. May alter serum glucose.

#####  AVAILABILITY (Rx)

**Capsules:** 200 mg. **Oral Solution:** 10 mg/ml.

#####  ADMINISTRATION/HANDLING

PO

• Give without regard to food.

#####  INDICATIONS/ROUTES/DOSAGE

HIV

Capsules

**PO:** **ADULTS, ELDERLY, CHILDREN 3 MOS–17 YRS, WEIGHING MORE THAN 33 KG:** 200 mg once daily.

Oraladministration/handling of chemotherapeutic agents or in treatment of sickle cell anemia. Carcinogenic risk; secondary leukemias reported with long-term treatment.

**Do not confuse hydroxyurea with hydroxyzine.**

#####  ♦ CLASSIFICATION

**PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC:** Synthetic urea analogue. **CLINICAL:** Antineoplastic.

#####  USES

Treatment of melanoma, resistant chronic myelocytic leukemia, recurrent, metastatic, inoperable ovarian carcinoma. Used in combination with radiation therapy for local control of primary squamous cell carcinoma of head/neck, excluding lip. Treatment of sickle cell anemia with at least 3 painful crises in previous 12 mos. **OFF-LABEL:** Treatment of hematologic conditions (e.g., polycythemia vera), cervical cancer, essential thrombocythemia, hyperleukocytosis due to AML, treatment of meningiomas.

#####  PRECAUTIONS

**Contraindications:** Hypersensitivity to hydroxyurea. WBC count less than 2,500/mm3 or platelet count less than 100,000/mm3, severe anemia. **Cautions:** Previous irradiation therapy, concurrent use with other cytoxic drugs, renal/hepatic impairment, elderly;