Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced

Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced General Information

Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced is the generic medical term used to denominate a hematological disorder where the patient has a very low platelet count, due to the formation of antibodies that destroy these cells. The antibodies are produced due to usage of certain drugs. The platelets (thrombocytes) are colorless blood cells that are responsible for blood clot formation at the location of injuries and blood vessel lesions. This leads to blood clotting problems, such as easy bruising and longer periods of bleeding – particularly gum and nose bleeding may appear often and last for prolonged periods of time.

The incidence rate of this affection has not been established exactly, mainly due to the fact that reporting is voluntary and cannot be clearly obtained in all cases. Also, the incidence rate varies with the drugs that have caused this condition. In most cases, it is considered that the incidence rate is of around 1% or lower.

There are a large number of drugs that may cause Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced. Quinine and platelet inhibitors are the most common examples. Many of the drugs that cause this affection also cause a number of other conditions, such as sensitivity reactions of the internal organs and skin. In some cases, the substances causing this condition may come from foods or natural / herbal products and supplements. There are many factors which may influence the onset of this affection; however there does not seem to be any genetic predisposition or environmental factors.

Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced Symptoms

The symptoms of Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced are constant in mostly all cases, and are similar to those caused by regular Thrombocytopenia. In some cases, the symptoms may appear after long periods of time, or there may be no apparent symptoms – in medical terms, the affection may be asymptomatic. Some patients may experience a number of different symptoms along with some of the more common signs, and there is a possibility that in some rare cases the organism may respond in an uncommon, possibly even unique way. It is advised that, if experiencing any uncommon and / or unpleasant symptoms, the patient should immediately consult a specialized health care professional, in order to determine the affection that he or she may be suffering from, as well as to determine the proper course of action to be followed. However, some of the symptoms that are specific to Thrombocytopenia are similar to other symptoms, characteristic to other affections. As such, the patient may be suffering from a different affection, which can only be determined and diagnosed by a specialized health care professional.

Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced typically causes the patient to experience bloody stool or urine, easy or excessive bruising and also, when injured, the patient will bleed for prolonged periods of time. The bleeding will be prolonged even in the case of minor wounds, where only minor blood vessels are damaged. Nose bleeding and gum bleeding may occur more often, and superficial bleeding in the skin is possible, under the form of small purplish or reddish spots (purpura). In female patients, Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced may cause abnormally large menstrual flow.

Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced Treatment

In most cases of Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced, treatment depends largely on the underlining cause. The specialized health care professionals will attempt to determine the drug causing this reaction, and therapy with that medicine will be discontinued. Afterwards, further measures in alleviating the symptoms and correcting the patient’s condition need to be taken, in order to restore the patient’s health.

Interleukin 11 is a recently developed drug that has received approval for use in the prevention of severe post-chemotherapy Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced. This medication may be used for the treatment of patients with non-myeloid tumors. This is the only medication available for antineoplastic-induced thrombocytopenia, short of platelet transfusions. This drug acts by stimulating the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells as well as of megakaryocyte precursors, leading to an increase in the number of megakaryocytes and platelets. Further examination has shown that patients undergoing treatment with this medication had a significantly larger platelet count, no longer needing platelet transfusions.

Thrombopoietin is an experimental medication that may be used in the prevention of Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced, and especially antineoplastic-induced thrombocytopenia. However, at this time the drug in both its forms (recombinant human TPO and Polyethylene glycol) is currently undergoing testing to determine its effectiveness and risks. So far, tests have shown a rapid return to baseline platelet count in patients that have undergone treatment with this drug, with no significant side effects, however testing has not yet been performed on patients with medical history of cardiac, vascular, pulmonary or thrombotic disease.

More commonly, treatment is typically based on corticosteroid-class drugs, with Prednisone being the drug of choice. These drugs have a positive effect in raising the patient’s platelet count by inhibiting the activity of the immune system – and thus hindering the platelet destruction. Corticosteroid therapy lasts normally for up to six weeks, after which the patient should present a normal platelet count. Once the goal of the treatment has been reached, therapy is gradually stopped by reducing the dosage – corticosteroid treatment must not be stopped abruptly as this may harm the patient. Instead, the dose is gradually lowered until the treatment can be ceased without any risks.

In emergency situations, the patient suffering from Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced may be administered immunoglobulin – a drug with very fast and strong effect, however its effect wears off within a few weeks’ time.

In some cases of Thrombocytopenia Drug Induced, the specialized health care professionals may recommend that the patient undergoes surgery. Splenectomy is a procedure through which the patient’s spleen is removed, leading to a less intensive process of platelet destruction. This may lead in most cases to a rapid improvement of the patient’s condition, however due to the risks that are involved; this operation may not be suitable in most cases. Also, this operation is rarely performed on children.

For more detailed information regarding the treatment options in a specific situation, it is highly advised that you consult your personal health care professional. He or she will be able to provide you with a treatment plan best suited to your age, general health condition and medical history.