Hydroxyurea (also called hydroxycarbamide) is the single most important medicine for sickle cell disease — and that matters enormously in Nigeria, which has the largest sickle cell population in the world, with tens of thousands of affected babies born every year. It is a daily capsule or tablet that changes the course of the disease, reducing the frequency of painful crises, cutting the need for blood transfusions, and lowering the risk of serious complications. It is sold as Hydrea, Siklos, and generic hydroxyurea.
In the NAFDAC register
7 registered products
from 3 registration holders
What it costs online
Price varies — check with a pharmacy. This drug has not yet appeared in our fortnightly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies.
Brands of Hydroxyurea in Nigeria
Those 7 products from 3 registration holders include combination products and older listings; below are the most common brands.
Hydroxyurea Price in Nigeria
Hydroxyurea prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.
We show a price here once it appears in our monthly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies (MedPlus, HealthPlus), or when we have a reliable market figure. For now, confirm the current price directly with a licensed pharmacy.
How to Verify Your Hydroxyurea is Genuine
- 1Get hydroxyurea on prescription from a licensed pharmacy, ideally through a sickle cell clinic or haematologist
- 2Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack and verify it on the NAFDAC Green Book or app
- 3Check the expiry date and that the packaging is sealed and untampered
- 4Genuine capsules/tablets should be uniform; discard any that look irregular or discoloured
- 5For Hydrea (Bristol Myers Squibb) or Siklos (Addmedica), check the manufacturer branding and batch number; for generics, confirm the manufacturer
- 6Because it needs blood-test monitoring, use a consistent, trusted source and stay linked to a clinic rather than buying ad hoc from unverified sellers
Where to Buy
Buying Hydroxyurea by the carton
Cartons are bought at Nigeria's four open drug markets. Each guide names the sellers there you can contact, and how to buy safely:
No shop we list has Hydroxyurea on its confirmed product list yet — the market guides still tell you where the trade happens and how to buy there safely.
Wherever you buy, buy only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors — not roadside vendors — and verify the pack's NAFDAC registration before you pay. Buying Hydroxyurea in bulk or for resale? See how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely.
Need Hydroxyurea in bulk, or can't find it near you?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a verified, NAFDAC-registered source.
What is Hydroxyurea?
In sickle cell disease, an abnormal form of haemoglobin makes red blood cells stiffen into a sickle shape, block small blood vessels, and cause the sudden severe pain known as a crisis. Hydroxyurea works mainly by boosting the body's production of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) — a type of haemoglobin that resists sickling — so red cells stay flexible and rounded for longer. Over months, this leads to fewer crises, fewer chest and other complications, and often a better quality of life.
Hydroxyurea is a prescription medicine that must be supervised by a doctor, usually a haematologist, because the dose is adjusted to each person and regular blood tests are needed to watch the blood count. It is taken long-term, and its full benefit builds up over several months rather than days. It is safe and life-changing for most people with sickle cell when properly monitored, but it must not be used in pregnancy, and men and women should use contraception while on it. Buy it from a licensed pharmacy and verify the NAFDAC number.
What is Hydroxyurea used for?
In Nigeria, Hydroxyurea is commonly used for:
- Reducing the number and severity of painful sickle cell crises
- Reducing the frequency of acute chest syndrome and the need for blood transfusions
- Long-term protection against sickle cell complications, improving quality of life
- Certain blood cancers such as chronic myeloid leukaemia and essential thrombocythaemia (a separate, specialist use)
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
For sickle cell disease, hydroxyurea is started at a low dose based on body weight (often around 15mg/kg once daily) and gradually increased by a doctor to the best tolerated dose, guided by blood counts. It is taken once a day at the same time. The full benefit builds over 3-6 months, so it must be taken consistently even before improvement is felt. Regular blood tests are essential to guide the dose.
Children
Hydroxyurea is used in children with sickle cell disease and is highly effective, but the dose is carefully weight-based and set by a specialist, with close blood-count monitoring. Siklos comes in a form that makes paediatric dosing easier.
Elderly
Used with the same monitoring; dose adjusted for kidney function.
Take it every day — skipping doses reduces its protective effect. Do not stop it because you feel well; the benefit depends on continuous use. Keep every appointment for blood tests, since the dose is set by your blood count. Handle the capsules with clean, dry hands and wash your hands afterwards. Continue folic acid and stay well hydrated, and keep using pain relief and other sickle cell care as advised.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •A drop in blood counts (white cells, platelets, or haemoglobin) — the main reason for regular monitoring; usually managed by adjusting the dose
- •Nausea or mild stomach upset
- •Darkening of the skin or nails
- •Mild hair thinning
- •Headache or dizziness
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- A very low white-cell count, raising infection risk: fever, sore throat, or feeling very unwell — seek care urgently
- A very low platelet count: unusual bruising or bleeding
- Leg ulcers that are slow to heal
- Signs of a serious allergic or skin reaction
- Severe or persistent symptoms during any infection
When to see a doctor
Seek care urgently for a fever or signs of infection while on hydroxyurea, as a low white-cell count can make infections dangerous, and for unusual bruising or bleeding. Do not miss your scheduled blood tests. Contact your doctor about slow-healing leg ulcers, and always seek prompt help for a sickle cell crisis, chest pain, or breathlessness as you normally would.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Hydroxyurea if you have:
- Do not use in pregnancy — hydroxyurea can harm the developing baby; effective contraception is essential for both women and men while taking it and for a period afterwards
- Do not use while breastfeeding
- Do not use if blood counts are already very low, until corrected and under specialist care
- Use with caution and dose adjustment in kidney or liver impairment
- Do not use without regular blood-count monitoring
Drug interactions
- •Other medicines that lower blood counts (including some antiretrovirals and chemotherapy) increase the risk of low counts
- •Certain HIV medicines (e.g. didanosine, stavudine) combined with hydroxyurea raise the risk of serious side effects
- •Live vaccines should be discussed with your doctor
- •Tell your doctor about all medicines, as hydroxyurea affects the bone marrow
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Hydroxyurea must not be used in pregnancy, as it can cause harm to the baby, and it should not be used while breastfeeding. Both women and men of reproductive age should use reliable contraception during treatment and for a time after stopping, as advised by the doctor. If pregnancy is planned or occurs, the treatment plan must be reviewed with a haematologist promptly rather than simply stopped, given the risks of uncontrolled sickle cell disease in pregnancy.
Related Resources for Hydroxyurea
Guides, articles, and tools related to Hydroxyurea and other sickle cell medicines in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Hydroxyurea on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
- •WHO Model List of Essential Medicines — Hydroxyurea is included in the WHO's list of essential medicines, meaning it is considered essential for basic healthcare needs.
- •British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Hydroxyurea.
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).
Daily puzzle: Meddle — pair five brands with their medicines. New game at midnight.