Zidovudine for the treatment of HIV-negative patients with psoriasis: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Zidovudine, an inhibitor of HIV replication, has been reported to improve psoriasis in HIV-positive patients.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to evaluate the safety, tolerance, and effectiveness of oral zidovudine for treating psoriasis in HIV-negative patients in a small, open-label study.

METHODS

Each subject received 200 mg of zidovudine every 4 hours during waking hours, for a total of 1000 mg/day. Treatment was continued for 8 weeks, at which time the patient's response to therapy was evaluated. If a response was evident, treatment was continued for an additional 8 weeks. Clinical response was correlated with histologic changes in skin lesions at 0 and 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Thirty-three percent of HIV-negative patients with psoriasis showed improvement by up to 80% after 16 weeks of therapy; decreased elevation and scaling of the psoriasis plaques were the most notable changes. No complete remissions occurred.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of the use of zidovudine to treat HIV-negative patients with psoriasis. Although zidovudine was well tolerated, it may be more effective in HIV-positive patients with psoriasis.