Hydroxyurea for Sickle Cell Disease
A sickle cell treatment option for children and adults
If you have sickle cell disease, you know the impact it can have on your life. Sickle cell disease can cause periods of intense pain (called “pain crises”) and other problems. You may even end up in the emergency room or the hospital.
But here’s some good news: a medicine called hydroxyurea (“hi-drox-ee-ure-EE-a”) can help adults and children with sickle cell disease. This medicine can help you have fewer pain crises — and even live longer. Hydroxyurea has helped many people and it could help you.
The American Society of Hematology developed this booklet to educate people with sickle cell disease about this important treatment option. We encourage you to talk with your doctor about your personal treatment plan and whether hydroxyurea could help. The decision to take hydroxyurea is up to you.