Drug interactions
Hydroxyurea + Zidovudine
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxyurea and Zidovudine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs suppress bone marrow function, so giving them together raises the likelihood of anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Zidovudine already causes dose-related anemia and neutropenia, and hydroxyurea adds to this effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxyurea and Zidovudine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Hydroxyurea belongs to Miscellaneous; Zidovudine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Additive myelosuppression through pharmacodynamic synergism.
What to do
Monitor complete blood counts regularly, and reduce the dose or interrupt one agent if significant cytopenias develop. Consider an alternative antiretroviral that is less myelosuppressive.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Zidovudine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Stavudine + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Carboplatin + Zidovudine Major
- Cisplatin + Zidovudine Major
Other interactions of Hydroxyurea
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydroxyurea with Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxyurea and Zidovudine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs suppress bone marrow function, so giving them together raises the likelihood of anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Zidovudine already causes dose-related anemia and neutropenia, and hydroxyurea adds to this effect.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxyurea and Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor complete blood counts regularly, and reduce the dose or interrupt one agent if significant cytopenias develop. Consider an alternative antiretroviral that is less myelosuppressive.
What other medicines interact with Zidovudine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zidovudine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Stavudine, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Zidovudine page.
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