4/30/15
english 4
How Hydroxyurea works
Why is hydroxyurea used to treat SCD? Hydroxyurea is used to reduce complications of sickle cell disease in people who have a history of severe symptoms. People with SCD normally have 3 pain crises a year, hydroxyurea reduces that little to none. Hydroxyurea can reduce the number of painful events like acute chest syndrome episodes. It also can reduce hospital stays for sickle cell disease.Some people with SCD can be in the hospital for weeks or months. This medicine doesn't work for everyone though. Everyone case of SCD is different. So far, research shows that hydroxyurea is as effective for children as well as adults. Every medication has side affects , but side affects from hydroxyurea are rarely detected or the patient is able to deal with the side affects. Hydroxyurea is given by mouth one time each day. It comes in liquid or capsule form.
The U.S. (FDA) has approved it for the treatment of adults with severe sickle cell disease. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin. Hemoglobin helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout
the body. People with normal hemoglobin have mostly Hemoglobin A in their red
blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have mostly sickle or Hemoglobin S (Hb S) in their red
blood cells. Hb S is an abnormal type of hemoglobin. In people with sickle cell disease, Hb S causes
the red blood cells to change from a round shape to a sickle or banana shape. Also, Hb S causes the
red blood cells to become rigid and sticky. This leads to blockage of blood flow to important body, organs, and muscles.
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