Can we use hydroxyurea with sickle cell anemia patient?

Sickle cell: Hydrea (hydroxyurea) is approved in patients with sickle cell anemia and prevents sickling of these cells and avoids sickle crisis. Risks versus benefits have to be weighed in by a hematologist before prescribing it.

HU in sickle cell: Certain patients with sickle cell can be helped by Hydroxyurea (hu). Initially, Hydroxyurea was thought to increase fetal hemoglobin levels (not carrying the sickle cell mutation), but more recently, hu has been shown to decrease high white blood cell counts which can lead to vaso-occlusive crises. Talk with your hematologist to see if hu is right for you.