Hydroxyurea therapy

Abstract

Hydroxyurea's place in the scheme of psoriasis therapy has diminished in recent years. Some practitioners mistakenly believe that it is used only in desperate situations, is of little or no benefit in patients unresponsive to more conventional systemic therapies, and may predispose patients to the development of secondary malignancies. Moreover, a legitimate argument against the use of this drug may be made by physicians concerned about the proliferation of systemic therapies for what is a benign, albeit unsightly, eruption. However, hydroxyurea therapy is not without advantages. It is easily dosed, relatively inexpensive, and has few contraindications or subjective side effects. In addition, patients with common systemic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, mild renal insufficiency, and cardiopulmonary disease who may not be potential candidates for other medications may be managed with hydroxyurea.