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[Acute interstitial pneumopathy with fever caused by hydroxyurea]
P L Blanc1, J M Joasson, H Hammoud
1Service de Médecine D, Centre Hospitalier, Annonay.
Presse Medicale (Paris, France : 1983)
|March 4, 2000
Summary
Hydroxyurea can cause drug-induced pneumonia and fever, even without infection. Discontinuing hydroxyurea treatment leads to favorable outcomes for patients experiencing these adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hydroxyurea is a medication with known side effects, primarily bone marrow toxicity.
- Fever and pneumonia are occasionally reported adverse events associated with hydroxyurea therapy.
Observation:
- A patient with polycythemia developed severe interstitial pneumonia, fever, and hypoxemia while on hydroxyurea.
- Bacteriological tests were negative, and antibiotic treatment was ineffective.
- Symptoms recurred upon hydroxyurea reintroduction and resolved after its discontinuation.
Findings:
- Hydroxyurea can induce interstitial pneumonia and fever, mimicking infection.
- Pneumonia onset typically occurs 3-8 weeks after initiating hydroxyurea treatment.
- Fever alone can be a sign of hydroxyurea-induced drug reaction.
Implications:
- Discontinuation of hydroxyurea is crucial for managing drug-induced pneumonia and fever.
- Early recognition of hydroxyurea-induced adverse events can prevent unnecessary investigations and treatments.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism of hydroxyurea-induced pulmonary toxicity.