FEVER ATTRIBUTED TO THE USE OF HYDROXYUREA

We report on three patients who developed fever after starting treatme nt with the anti-neoplastic agent, hydroxyurea. Fever occurred within 5 days to 3 weeks after starting treatment, In all cases the causal re lationship between fever and use of hydroxyurea was demonstrated by sp ontaneous recovery after drug withdrawal and was confirmed by recurren ce of fever after rechallenge. Other causes were excluded. Fever was a ccompanied by rash, gastro-intestinal and pulmonary symptoms, and arth ralgia. Physicians should be aware of the fact that unexplained fever may be caused by hydroxyurea. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.