Hydroxyurea in the treatment of HIV-1

OBJECTIVE: To describe the role of hydroxyurea in the treatment of HIV-1. DATA SOURCES: Published clinical studies using hydroxyurea in HIV treatment were accessed through MEDLINE (January 1994-March 1999) and conference abstracts. All relevant studies were evaluated. DATA SYNTHESIS: Adherence, expense, and resistance limit the pharmacotherapeutic options in the management of patients with HIV. Hydroxyurea may be an alternative to conventional HIV treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Several potential advantages of adding hydroxyurea to antiretroviral treatment regimens include the drug's well-documented toxicity, convenient dosing, good tolerability and low cost, and its unique mechanism of action. Hydroxyurea may have synergistic effects that prove promising in initial and salvage therapy antiretroviral regimens. Larger, well-controlled clinical studies are needed to adequately define the role of hydroxyurea in the treatment of HIV.