Antipsoriatic effects of zidovudine in human immunodeficiency virus-associated psoriasis

Four patients with psoriasis complicating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection showed marked improvement in their psoriasis after being treated with oral zidovudine. The antipsoriatic effect persisted in two patients in spite of worsening helper T cell depletion. The antipsoriatic effect appeared to be dose-dependent and was associated with the development of erythrocyte macrocytosis, a known side effect of zidovudine. Zidovudine is useful for the therapy of HIV-associated psoriasis and should be tested for efficacy in non-HIV-associated psoriasis.