Oxbryta vs. Hydrea

Oxbryta (voxelotor) and Hydrea (hydroxyurea) are used to treat sickle cell disease.

Hydrea is also used to treat melanoma, resistant chronic myelocytic leukemia, and recurrent, metastatic, or inoperable carcinoma of the ovary and primary squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinomas of the head and neck.

Oxbryta and Hydrea belong to different drug classes. Oxbryta is a hemoglobin S polymerization inhibitor and Hydrea is an antineoplastic (anti-cancer) agent.

Side effects of Oxbryta and Hydrea that are similar include headache, diarrhea, nausea, and rash.

Side effects of Oxbryta that are different from Hydrea include stomach/abdominal pain, tiredness/fatigue, and fever.

Side effects of Hydrea that are different from Oxbryta include vomiting, upset stomach, constipation, skin changes such as peeling or discoloration, flu-like symptoms, hair loss, dizziness, drowsiness, and weight gain.

Oxbryta may interact with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, fluconazole, strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers, and midazolam.

Hydrea may interact with didanosine, stavudine, and an interferon.

Common side effects of Oxbryta include:

• headache,
• diarrhea,
• stomach/abdominal pain,
• nausea,
• tiredness/fatigue,
• rash, and
• fever

Common side effects of Hydrea include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• skin changes such as peeling or discoloration,
• flu-like symptoms,
• hair loss,
• rash,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness, or
• weight gain.

Serious side effects of Hydrea include:

• anemia,
• myelosuppression, and
• leukemia.

Oxbryta (voxelotor) is a hemoglobin S polymerization inhibitor used to treat sickle cell disease in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older.

Hydrea (hydroxyurea) is an antineoplastic (anti-cancer) agent used to treat melanoma, resistant chronic myelocytic leukemia, and recurrent, metastatic, or inoperable carcinoma of the ovary and primary squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinomas of the head and neck. Hydrea is available in generic form.

Oxbryta may interact with other medicines such as:

• strong CYP3A4 inhibitors,
• fluconazole,
• strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers, and
• midazolam

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Hydrea may interact with didanosine, stavudine, or an interferon.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

The recommended dosage of Oxbryta is 1,500 mg orally once daily with or without food.

Hydrea (hydroxyurea) is available in 500 mg tablets. Dosage depends on the problem being treated; the prescribing doctor will determine dosage.