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Thrombocytopenia - drug induced - Treatment

Alternative Names

Drug-induced thrombocytopenia

Treatment:

The first step in treating this type of low platelet count is to stop using the drug that may be causing the problem.

For people who have life-threatening bleeding, treatments may include:

Immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG) given through a vein
Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis)
Platelet transfusions

Complications:

Bleeding can be life threatening if it occurs in the brain or other organs.

A pregnant woman who has antibodies to platelets may pass the antibodies to the baby in the womb.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your healthcare provider if you have unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Blood clot formation

Blood clots

Reviewed last on: 5/7/2009
Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Palm Beach Cancer Institute, West Palm Beach, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Visentin GP, Liu CY. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2007;21:685-696.

Warkentin TE. Thrombocytopenia due to platelet destruction and hypersplenism. In: Hoffman R, Benz Jr. EJ, Shattil SJ, Furie B, Silberstein LE, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone;2008:chap 140.

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