jrnls.org logo
Submit

BROWSE ALL JOURNALS

SEE ALL 19 JOURNALS
Pharmacy PracticeNOW IN
Article

Safety and Efficacy of Thalidomide Vs Hydroxyurea in β-Thalassemia patients: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

Mohammed Kanan1★, Nouf Alokasi2, Alyah Asiri2, Rahaf Alshahrani2, Sana Alassaf2, Asma Alsohaibani3, Abdulaziz Alrowais4, Manar S. Almutairi5, Maali Ramdan6, Hanan Haif6, Bashayr Alanzi6, Jumanah Althomali7, Asma Saud8★ Corresponding author

  1. 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, king Fahad medical city, Riyadh, 12211, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  2. 2Department of Pharmacy, College of pharmacy, king Khalid university, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  3. 3Medical student, ALRayan college, AL Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  4. 4Department of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz for Health Science, Riyadh, 14611, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  5. 5Department of pharmacy, Abha Private hospital, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  6. 6Department of Pharmacy, Maternity and Children Hospital in Rafha, Rafha, 12211, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  7. 7Department of Pharmacy, Shams Pharmacy, Taif, Saudi Aabia.
  8. 8Pharmacy department, Northern Borders Uiversity, Rafha.

CORRESPONDENCE

Mohammed Kanan

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, king Fahad medical city, Riyadh, 12211, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

kanan101@outlook.com

Received: 05-07-2024; Accepted: 26-08-2024.

Volume 23, Issue 2 · pp. 3177 · PUBLISHED 3 April 2025 · DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2025.2.3177

View on PP original site ↗

ABSTRACT

Objective: The current systematic review was carried out to compare the safety and efficacy of thalidomide vs hydroxyurea in β-thalassemia patients. Methods: literature were extensively searched by using four databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus until January 22, 2024, for studies that did hit to hit comparison of thalidomide vs hydroxyurea based on safety and efficacy in β-thalassemia patients. Original research studies in English with observational and/or experimental designs, regardless of age and gender, used thalidomide for ≥3 months were included in this systematic review. Two independent reviewers extracted the data using a data extraction form. Results: Two studies collectively involving n=57 β-thalassemia patients fulfilled eligibility criteria. Thalidomide exhibited greater potential in improving Hb levels, HbF, and in reducing blood transfusion needs and serum ferritin levels compared to hydroxyurea in β-thalassemia patients. Mild adverse events (AEs) of non-serious nature were reported with both thalidomide and hydroxyurea. somnolence, and headache were the main AEs reported in patients treated with thalidomide, whereas abdominal pain, pruritis and gastritis were the main AEs reported in patients treated with hydroxyurea. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the higher potential of thalidomide in improving Hb levels and reducing transfusion requirements compared to hydroxyurea in β-thalassemia. However, these findings must be endorsed until well-designed clinical trials are conducted.

KEYWORDS

Open in new tab

REFERENCES

As published

Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

    Cite this article

    SELECT FORMAT

    Kanan, M., Alokasi, N., Asiri, A., Alshahrani, R., Alassaf, S., Alsohaibani, A., Alrowais, A., Almutairi, M. S., Ramdan, M., Haif, H., Alanzi, B., Althomali, J., & Saud, A. (2025). Safety and Efficacy of Thalidomide Vs Hydroxyurea in β-Thalassemia patients: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence. Pharmacy Practice, 23(2), 3177. https://doi.org/10.18549/PharmPract.2025.2.3177