Hydroxyurea-induced fever: case report and review of the literature

To describe a patient with hydroxyurea-induced fever.

A patient with essential thrombocythemia developed a fever 12 hours after beginning hydroxyurea therapy. The diagnosis of drug fever was established by resolution of the fever after withdrawal of hydroxyurea and its recurrence on reexposure to the drug.

Hydroxyurea-induced fever is rare. In the present case, a short lag period between commencement of hydroxyurea therapy and appearance of fever may suggest either direct toxicity or an idiosyncratic reaction. In previous reports, a hypersensitivity drug reaction was implicated.

The mechanism of hydroxyurea-induced fever remains unclear. Clinicians should be aware of this rare adverse effect.