
What drugs can cause low platelet count?
Drugs causing thrombocytopenia or low platelet count. Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a commonest blood disorder that causes thrombocytopenia or low platelet count. Apart from ITP, many drugs can cause thrombocytopenia. Some drugs like anticancer drugs and valproic acid causes dose depended decrease in the number of platelets by myelosuppression.
Can antibiotics affect the platelet count?
Yes, some antibiotics can affect platelet count which is known as drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP). They are- yes, My nephew (4 year old) have ITP because of MMR vaccine.
What are the causes of low platelets?
When medicines or drugs are the causes of a low platelet count, it is called drug-induced thrombocytopenia. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia occurs when certain medicines destroy platelets or interfere with the body's ability to make enough of them. There are two types of drug-induced thrombocytopenia: immune and nonimmune.
What medications cause thrombocytopenia?
Medication A variety of medications have the ability to thin your blood and lower the count of blood-clotting platelets. Such drugs range from prescribed anti-clotting drugs, taken by those with frequently occurring and potentially dangerous blood clots, to over-the-counter pain pills. Prescription antibiotics can also lead to thrombocytopenia.

Can antibiotics cause a low platelet count?
Certain medications can reduce the number of platelets in your blood. Sometimes a drug confuses the immune system and causes it to destroy platelets. Examples include heparin, quinine, sulfa-containing antibiotics and anticonvulsants.
What medicines cause low platelet count?
CausesFurosemide.Gold, used to treat arthritis.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Penicillin.Quinidine.Quinine.Ranitidine.Sulfonamides.More items...•
Can amoxicillin lower platelet count?
This explains the relationship between the low platelet count and the exposure to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, however, the reason behind the continued decrease in the platelet count 1 month after stopping amoxicillin/clavulanic acid remains unclear. This case has few limitations.
Which class of antibiotics can induce a platelet disorder?
– Beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin may cause platelet dysfunction by preventing the binding of agonists to their receptors on platelets, inhibiting production of thromboxane B2, and affecting signal transduction after an agonist binds to the receptor. The platelet dysfunction is time and dose dependent.
What is the most common cause of low platelet count?
One of the most common causes of low platelets is a condition called immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). You may hear it called by its old name, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
What infections cause low platelets?
Infections with protozoa, bacteria and viruses can cause thrombocytopenia with or without disseminated intravascular coagulation. Commonly dengue, malaria, scrub typhus and other rickettsial infections, meningococci, leptospira and certain viral infections present as fever with thrombocytopenia.
What medications can affect platelet function?
Drugs. Aspirin, other NSAIDs, inhibitors of the platelet P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor (eg, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor), and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (eg, abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban) may induce platelet dysfunction.
Can azithromycin cause low platelets?
Drug-induced thrombocytopenia is a clinical diagnosis after exclusion of other etiologies of thrombocytopenia. Azithromycin is a rare cause of severe thrombocytopenia that has been highlighted in our case.
Can ciprofloxacin cause low platelets?
This case report shows that ciprofloxacin may precipitate life-threatening thrombocytopenia and haemolytic anaemia, even in the early phases of treatment and without apparent previous exposures. A variety of disease states, disorders, hereditary conditions, environmental toxins, and drugs may cause thrombocytopenia.
Which medicine is best to increase platelets?
Romiplostim injection is used to increase the number of platelets (cells that help the blood to clot) in order to decrease the risk of bleeding in adults who have immune thrombocytopenia (ITP; idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; an ongoing condition that may cause easy bruising or bleeding due to an abnormally low ...
Can a urinary tract infection cause low platelets?
The results of the present study indicated a decrease in platelet number and an increase in MPV and PDW in gram- positive bacterial UTIs compare to gram- negative bacterial UTIs. One possible explanation for these differences can be the small number of UTIs with gram positive bacteria in our study.
What medications can affect platelet function?
Drugs. Aspirin, other NSAIDs, inhibitors of the platelet P2Y12 adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor (eg, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor), and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (eg, abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban) may induce platelet dysfunction.
Can blood pressure meds affect platelets?
Millions of people take drugs to lower their blood pressure and cholesterol. These drugs, taken individually or in combination, may trigger low platelets for someone susceptible to drug-induced thrombocytopenia.
Which medicine is best to increase platelets?
Romiplostim injection is used to increase the number of platelets (cells that help the blood to clot) in order to decrease the risk of bleeding in adults who have immune thrombocytopenia (ITP; idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; an ongoing condition that may cause easy bruising or bleeding due to an abnormally low ...
Can B12 deficiency cause low platelets?
Severe deficiencies of vitamin B12 or folic acid and excessive alcohol can cause low platelet counts.
What is the most common blood disorder that causes low platelet count?
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)is a commonest blood disorder that causes thrombocytopenia or low platelet count. Apart from ITP, many drugs can cause thrombocytopenia. Some drugs like anticancer drugs and valproic acid causes dose depended decrease in the number of platelets by myelosuppression. Drugs may also cause thrombocytopenia by immunological ...
What is the name of the blood disorder where your own platelets are destroyed by antibodies directed against them?
Immune thrombocytopenic purpupura otherwise known as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purura (ITP) is a blood disorder in which your own platelets are destroyed by antibodies directed against them. The word immune means that the thrombocytopenia or low platelet count results from immune system's involvement in this disorder.
Can drugs cause thrombocytopenia?
Drugs may also cause thrombocytopenia by immunological mechanisms. Immunological drug induced thrombocytopenia can be caused by the following two mechanisms. This is caused by drug depended binding of Fab part of the pathological IgG with the platelets, causing their destruction.
What is the condition where a low platelet count leads to a clot?
Platelets are cells which help in cessation of bleeding and help blood to clot. Low platelet count leads to a condition called thrombocytopenia which can occur due to infections like dengue or sepsis.
What happens if your platelet count is low?
Having low platelet count can lead to symptoms like bleeding, fatigue and bruising.
What is the blood count of a platelet?
Platelets stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessel injuries. A normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microliter. A platelet count below 150,000 per mcL is called thrombocytopenia, while a platelet count over 450,000 is called thrombocytosis. Platelets seem to have a large backup capacity: blood typically still clots normally as long as the platelet count is above 50,000 per mcL (assuming no other problems are present). Spontaneous bleeding doesn’t usually occur unless the platelet count falls to 10,000 or 20,000 per mcL.Platelets are constantly being produced in the bone marrow. A low or high platelet count is not often a problem by itself, but can frequently be a sign of another medical condition. For this reason, high or low platelet counts require additional medical attention.
How long does it take for blood clots to drop after taking a drug?
In case of DITP (lowering platelet count) caused by an immune reaction to a drug, platelets usually drop within one to two weeks after taking the problem drug. Regardless, low platelets can occur almost instantly after taking certain drugs that interfere with the production of blood clots. If the medication accountable for low platelets is discontinued, platelets may begin to recover in one or two days, but the antibodies to the drug can last in the bloodstream for a very long period and cause future difficulties.
Why is my platelet count so high?
The commonest cause of a mild or moderate rise in platelet count is chronic inflammation (i.e. an inflammation that’s been going on for more than a few weeks). Your question doesn’t state why you were seeing a GI doctor, but if you have (for example) inflammatory bowel disease, that’s probably why your platelet count is a little high. If you were really worried about it, the best way to bring the platelet count down would be to get on top of the inflammation - but you and your doctor are probably already onto that (and suppressing inflammation can be easier said than done).
Why does thrombocytopenia occur?
Thrombocytopenia often occurs as a result of a separate disorder, such as leukemia or an immune system problem. Or it can be a side effect of taking certain medications. It affects both children and adults. 3 of the more common causes of this problem are:
How to teach a patient about low platelets?
A lot of people don’t know the extent/necessity of our platelets. Therefore a lot of patient teaching needs to come into play immediately . Don’t scare them but don’t sugar coat it. Explain that a fall to which they hit their head could potentially cause a brain bleed. Inform them that low platelet counts do happen, it’s treatable but the condition can take a turn for the worse leading to further complications if instructions are not followed closely. The patient should be informed that they are to drastically limit any activity and to stay in bed as much as possible. Normally I would call for
What causes low platelet count?
Nutritional deficiencies: As with anemia, iron deficiency or vitamin deficiencies (B12, folate) can lead to low platelet counts, since the body doesn't have the basic nutrients to create them. Viral infections: Certain viral infections such as hepatitis C or HIV may result in decreased production of platelets.
How to stop bleeding from low platelet count?
If you begin bleeding, follow these steps and contact your care provider: Have a seat or lie down. Try to remain calm. Apply pressure to the wound if you can see it. Apply an ice pack to the site to slow the bleeding.
Why does my thrombocytopenia increase during pregnancy?
Pregnancy: Gestational thrombocytopenia is a fairly common condition during the third trimester due to increased blood dilution, as blood volume continues to increase and platelet counts fail to increase at the same rate.
What causes thrombocytopenia?
Autoimmune conditions: Diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis may cause immune thrombocytopenia as the immune system starts to attack itself, destroying platelets in the process. Bacterial blood infections: Bacteremia, or a bacterial infection affecting the blood, may destroy platelets.
What happens if your platelet count is low?
Call your doctor if any of the following issues increase in frequency, severity, or become worrisome to you: 5 . Pain in your joints, particularly large joints like the knees and hips.
Why do clots clump together?
They are specifically designed for clotting; they clump together to prevent bleeding. If you have low platelets in your blood, known as thrombocytopenia, your ability to form clots and stop bleeding may be impaired.
How to stop bleeding gums?
Avoid contact sports to minimize the potential risk of injury and bleeding. Use an extra-soft toothbrush and perform diligent mouth care to reduce gum inflammation, as inflamed gums bleed more easily when flossing. Avoid flossing when your platelet count gets very low.
What Causes Low Platelet Count?
Low platelet count can be caused by multiple factors, and in many cases, it is easily reversed.
Why are my platelets low?
Some other causes of low platelet counts include: 1. Medication. A variety of medications have the ability to thin your blood and lower the count of blood-clotting platelets.
What happens when your platelet count is low?
When platelet counts are low, thrombocytopenia can set in and leave you at risk, most dangerously for internal bleeding. Platelets are just one of many cell types that make up the blood floating through your body. They are colorless, while the other components of blood, white cells and red cells, are characterized by their hue.
How long do platelets stay in the blood?
Blood platelets are produced in the bone marrow and remain in the blood for roughly 10 days until they are naturally destroyed.
What are some of the conditions that affect platelet production?
Some hereditary or genetic conditions impact platelet production and lifespan. A couple of these conditions are Wiskott-Aldrich and May-Hegglin syndromes, and will be diagnosed by your doctor.
What are the factors that affect platelet count?
Environmental toxins can also play a role in platelet count, and they can be both naturally occurring and man-made.#N#Their effect usually comes by way of exacerbating an existing autoimmune condition. These can include products like pesticides, herbicides, plastics, toxins produced by grains and mushrooms, polyurethane, and wood preservatives.
What are the inhibitors of Glycoprotein IIB?
Glycoprotein IIb/IIa inhibitors like abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban.
How long does it take for a drug to cause a drop in platelet count?
Many drugs have been implicated in drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DITP). Patients with DITP develop a drop in platelet count 5 to 10 days after drug administration with an increased risk of hemorrhage. The diagnosis of DITP is often challenging, because most hospitalized patients are taking multiple medications and have comorbidities ...
What is non-immune drug induced thrombocytopenia?
In contrast to immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, nonimmune drug-induced thrombocytopenia is described as a direct cytotoxic effect of the drug molecules on the megakaryocytes and/or platelets, leading to dysfunctional thrombopoiesis within the bone marrow or increased platelet destruction in the circulation, respectively . Antineoplastic agents commonly cause thrombocytopenia, because many of these compounds are directly toxic to the hematopoietic stem cells. Myelosuppression was also shown to be a major treatment-related adverse event of the antibiotic linezolid. 1 Although most antineoplastic agents are thought to mediate direct destruction of platelets or megakaryocytes, certain drugs of this group (for example, oxaliplatin) were found to cause acute, often severe thrombocytopenia mediated by drug-induced platelet antibodies. 2, 3
How long does it take for thrombocytopenia to recover from heparin?
In nonimmune heparin-associated thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, which typically occurs within the first few days (earlier than day 5) of heparin therapy, is usually mild and without major clinical consequence. Platelet count often remains above 80 to 100 × 10 9 /L, and it spontaneously recovers to baseline levels in a few days despite continuous heparin treatment. Patients do not experience any bleeding or thrombotic complications and do not require initiation of therapy.
How long does it take for a platelet count to recover from a DITP?
Treatment of DITP involves discontinuation of the offending drug. The platelet count usually starts to recover after 4 or 5 half-lives of the responsible drug or drug metabolite. High doses of intravenous immunoglobulin can be given to patients with severe thrombocytopenia and bleeding.
What is DITP thrombocytopenia?
DITP is a life-threatening clinical syndrome that is associated with a high risk of hemorrhage. A review of 247 case reports of DITP found incidence rates of major and fatal bleeding of 9% and 0.8%, respectively. Thrombocytopenia characteristically occurs ∼5 to 10 days after initial drug exposure, with median nadir platelet counts of <20 × 10 9 /L. An exception is thrombocytopenia induced by the GPIIb/IIIa antagonists, which may present within hours of exposure (early onset) due to naturally occurring antibodies.
Is thrombocytopenia a non-immune disease?
In contrast to immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, nonimmune drug-induced thrombocytopenia is described as a direct cytotoxic effect of the drug molecules on the megakaryocytes and/or platelets, leading to dysfunctional thrombopoiesis within the bone marrow or increased platelet destruction in the circulation, respectively.
Is thrombocytopenia a life threatening condition?
Many therapeutic agents have been associated with thrombocytopenia. Although in most cases, drug- induced thrombocytopenia is associated with bleeding, life-threatening thromboembolic complications are common in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
What causes low platelets?
Platelets are the component in blood that enables it to clot. Medicines, poisonous substances, heavy alcohol drinking, and even drinks with quinine in them, such as tonic water, can cause low platelet counts. Quinine is also found in tablets for leg cramps. If a doctor finds one of these substances to be the cause of a low platelet count, ...
Why are platelets low?
The level of platelets is usually low as a result of two main factors. Either an underlying medical condition is causing the reduced level, or an individual is taking a medication or substance that serves to reduce platelet count.
What is ITP in medical terms?
ITP refers to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. It is also known as immune thrombocytopenia. The name of the condition relates to bleeding-induced rashes that occur as a result of a low platelet count. Idiopathic means that the cause is not known. In ITP, the immune system attacks platelets.
What is low platelet count?
A low platelet count is a blood disorder that has a long list of possible causes . It is also known as thrombocytopenia. Reduced platelet content in the blood is not always a serious problem. However, the condition affects the ability of the blood to clot, and wounds can bleed severely with this condition. This can have serious complications in some ...
How long do platelets stay in the blood?
Platelets are not invisible to the naked eye. The bone marrow produces them, and they travel in the blood for an average of 10 days before being destroyed.
What are the causes of thrombocytopenia?
Poisons that can cause thrombocytopenia include pesticides, arsenic, and benzene. The following are antiplatelet or anti-clotting drugs that reduce the platelet count: glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, including abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban. heparin.
What is the protein that holds a clot together?
Activated platelets also release sticky proteins to help form the clot. A protein known as fibrin forms a mesh of threads that holds the plug together.
What is the name of the condition where a drug prevents the bone marrow from making enough platelets?
If a medicine prevents your bone marrow from making enough platelets, the condition is called drug-induced nonimmune thrombocytopenia. Chemotherapy drugs and a seizure medicine called valproic acid may lead to this problem. Other medicines that cause drug-induced thrombocytopenia include: Furosemide. Gold, used to treat arthritis.
What is thrombocytopenia if there are no platelets?
Thrombocytopenia is any disorder in which there are not enough platelets. Platelets are cells in the blood that help the blood clot. A low platelet count makes bleeding more likely.
What is it called when you take a medicine that causes antibodies to form?
If a medicine causes your body to produce antibodies, which seek and destroy your platelets, the condition is called drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia. Heparin, a blood thinner, is the most common cause of drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia. If a medicine prevents your bone marrow from making enough platelets, ...
What is the term for a disease that causes the body to produce antibodies?
Drug-induced thrombocytopenia occurs when certain medicines destroy platelets or interfere with the body's ability to make enough of them. There are two types of drug-induced thrombocytopenia: immune and nonimmune. If a medicine causes your body to produce antibodies, which seek and destroy your platelets, the condition is called drug-induced ...
What causes thrombocytopenia?
Thrombocytopenia is often caused by severe sepsis or septic shock resulting in platelet consumption, sequestering in the spleen and microcirculation, peripheral destruction and decreased production due to hemophagocytosis [ 3, 5, 6 ].
What is the absolute decrease in platelet count from ICU admission?
Absolute (one platelet count < 100 x 109/L) or relative (>=20 % decrease in platelet count from ICU admission) thrombocytopenia.
How long does it take for a thrombocytopenia to develop?
In a systematic review including 515 patient with drug-induced thrombocytopenia, time from exposure to initial occurrence of thrombocytopenia was between 1 day and up to 3 years [ 17 ]. As the knowledge regarding timing of ciprofloxacin- and piperacillin/tazobactam-induced thrombocytopenia is based on case reports, it is not possible to reliable estimate the time course of thrombocytopenia from that review. However, interestingly, several other published reports regarding antimicrobial-induced thrombocytopenia describes decreasing platelet count and development of thrombocytopenia within 4 days after exposure to ciprofloxacin [ 15, 18 - 20] and piperacillin/tazobactam [ 21 - 23] consistent with our findings. The great diversity in timing is most likely explained by varying mechanisms causing drug-induced thrombocytopenia [ 7, 10 ],including that prior exposure may have already sensitised some patients leading to more rapid effects upon reexposure [ 13 ]. Our study design did not allow us to address the potential mechanisms that may underlie our observation suggesting that exposure to specific antimicrobials may lead to smaller reductions in platelet counts.
What is thrombocytopenia in the ICU?
In addition, several drugs administered to treat severe infection during ICU admission may cause thrombocytopenia due to bone marrow suppression or/and immune-mediated platelet destruction [ 7, 8 ]. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia has been reported to be associated with a number of drugs frequently used in the ICU including heparins, analgesic and antimicrobials [ 3, 7 ]. However, precisely how many episodes of thrombocytopenia is associated with the use of drugs is not well defined, but some observational studies suggest an incidence as high as 10 % [ 3 ].
How is risk of thrombocytopenia analyzed?
Risk of thrombocytopenia was analyzed by a Kaplan-Meier/hazard function and corresponding Wilcoxon tests. Wilcoxon test was used instead of the more commonly used log-rank test because it was felt to be important to use a test giving more weight to early events. In patients with platelets >100 10 9 /L at study entry time from study entry to a decrease to absolute thrombocytopenia and time to a decrease to absolute thrombocytopenia or death was investigated. Similarly, analyses were performed for the time from study entry to relative thrombocytopenia and time to relative thrombocytopenia or death. Finally, we investigated whether thrombocytopenia status within day 1-4 affected risk of death from day 5-.28 among those still alive at day 4. For analyses not involving death as an endpoint, follow-up time accrued from study entry to event or last available platelet count, whichever occurred first. For analyses involving death, follow-up time between the date of last available platelet counts and the time a person was last known to be alive was added.
Does cefuroxime affect platelet count?
To investigate potential drug effect on the absolute platelet count we included the four aforementioned antimicrobials in a mixed effect model. No significant difference was detected between cefuroxime and no antimicrobials and only the single use of ciprofloxacin day 1-4 was associated with a decline in platelet count compared to cefuroxime ( Figure 2 ).
Can you take ciprofloxacin with tazobactam?
Since combination of ciprofloxacin and piperacillin/tazobactam is frequent, we created a separate model to compare the risk of relative thrombocytopenia associated with currently receiving piperacillin/tazobactam with or without ciprofloxacin; no difference was found between use of the single drug or as part of combination not including ciprofloxacin. Receiving piperacillin/tazobactam in combination with ciprofloxacin increased the risk; piperacillin/tazobactam vs. piperacillin/tazobactam + ciprofloxacin (RR: 1.15 [95% CI: 0.60 to 2.21] vs. 2.17 [95% CI: 1.10 to 4.26].
