This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Blood dyscrasias and sulphasalazine

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Sulphasalazine should be stopped immediately there is suspicion of a blood dyscrasia. It is recommended that full blood counts are performed before treatment and monthly for the first 3 months of therapy.

Blood dyscrasias account for 19% of all reported reactions to sulphasalzine:

  • leukopenia occurs in up to 1.5%
  • agranulocytosis has a peak incidence of 1 in 700 during the second month of therapy

CSM reports:

  • 191 reports of neutropenia, leukopenia or agranulocytosis - 22 fatal
  • 44 reports of bone marrow depression or aplastic anaemia - 13 fatal
  • 30 reports of thrombocytopenia - 1 fatal

Reactions were reported:

  • within 3 months of starting in 14 patient
  • 3-6 months in 6 patients
  • 6-11 months in 2 patients

Reference:

  • Current Problems (1993). CSM, 19, 6
  • Amos RS et al (1986). BMJ, 420-3
  • Keisu M and Ekman E (1992). Eur J.Clin Pharm, 43, 215-218

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.