DRUG-INDUCED (PROBABLY ALLOPURINOL) AGRAN ULOCYTOSIS - CASE-REPORT AND DISCUSSION

Agranulocytosis is a rare but sometimes extremely dangerous adverse dr ug reaction which can be induced by almost any drug. We report the cas e of a 89-year-old man with a well-documented granulocyte chart, who r eceived allopurinol in addition to preexisting therapy with cardiovasc ular drugs. Three weeks later agranulocytosis was found which bone-mar row biopsy indicated was drug-induced. After cessation of all drugs, i solation and antibiotic therapy, the leukocyte count returned to norma l but the patient died four weeks later from progressive renal failure . A relation between allopurinol therapy and agranulocytosis was presu med. The drugs which might have caused this adverse reaction are discu ssed. The incidence, signs, symptoms and treatment are summarized and proposals are made concerning the action to be taken in the event of d rug-induced agranulocytosis.