DROXIA SIDE EFFECTS

SIDE EFFECTS

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described in detail in other labeling sections:

• Myelosuppression
• Hemolytic anemia
• Malignancies
• Vasculitic toxicities
• Risks with concomitant use of antiretroviral drugs
• Macrocytosis
• Pulmonary Toxicity

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Clinical Trial Experience

In 299 patients treated for sickle cell anemia in the Multicenter Study of Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell Anemia, the most common adverse reactions were hematologic, with neutropenia, and low reticulocyte and platelet levels necessitating temporary cessation in almost all patients. Hematologic recovery usually occurred in two weeks.

Other adverse reactions include hair loss, macrocytosis, bleeding, and melanonychia.

Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of hydroxyurea in the treatment of neoplastic diseases. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency.

• Reproductive System and Breast disorders: azoospermia, and oligospermia
• Gastrointestinal disorders: stomatitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation
• Metabolism and Nutrition disorders: anorexia
• Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: maculopapular rash, skin ulceration, cutaneous lupus
• erythematosus, dermatomyositis-like skin changes, peripheral and facial erythema, hyperpigmentation, nail hyperpigmentation, atrophy of skin and nails, scaling, violet papules, and alopecia
• Renal and urinary disorders: dysuria, elevations in serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels
• Nervous system disorders: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, disorientation, hallucinations, and convulsions
• General disorders: fever, chills, malaise, edema, and asthenia
• Hepatobiliary disorders: elevation of hepatic enzymes, cholestasis, and hepatitis
• Respiratory disorders: diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, dyspnea, and pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, pneumonitis, alveolitis, allergic alveolitis and cough
• Immune disorders: systemic lupus erythematosus
• Hypersensitivity: Drug-induced fever (pyrexia)(>39°C, >102°F) requiring hospitalization has been reported concurrently with gastrointestinal, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, hepatobiliary, dermatological or cardiovascular manifestations. Onset typically occurred within 6 weeks of initiation and resolved upon discontinuation of hydroxyurea. Upon re-administration fever reoccurred typically within 24 hours.
• Blood and lymphatic system disorders: hemolytic anemia