What are the effects of a sickle cell patient using hydroxyurea in the long term?

Side Effects: There are some serious, but rare, side effects with hydroxyurea, including secondary leukemia, pulmonary fibrosis, pancreatitis, and peripheral neuropathy, or damage to the nerves. Discuss the benefits of decreasing the severity and length of the sickle cell attacks, and the risk of rare side effects as above.

Minimal to none: When Hydroxyurea is taken as prescribed and follow up labs are obtained and monitored, few long term complications of hydtoxyurea therapy have been reported. It is important to get the follow up labs to monitor your blood count and liver function so that the dose can be adjusted if needed. The benefits of Hydroxyurea therapy have been well documented and many consider it standard of care.