Definition of "hydroxyurea" [hydroxyurea]

• An antineoplastic drug, CH4N2O2, that suppresses the production of blood cell precursors in the bone marrow and is used in the treatment of certain leukemias, carcinomas, and sickle cell anemia. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "SUNDAY, Dec. 11 HealthDay News -- A drug called hydroxyurea that's approved for use in adults with severe sickle cell anemia can also help young children with the disease, new research suggests."
• "This Phase III randomized, multi-center, clinical trial compares standard therapy to prevent repeated stroke and the management of iron overload in pediatric patients (red cell transfusions and iron chelation) with an alternative therapy consisting of the medication, hydroxyurea, combined with phlebotomy, which is the removal of red blood cells."
• "Stroke with transfusions changing to hydroxyurea (SWiTCH)"