METHIMAZOLE-INDUCED AGRANULOCYTOSIS TREATED WITH RECOMBINANT HUMAN GRANULOCYTE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR (G-CSF)

A 35-year-old female hematology technician with Graves' disease develo ped agranulocytosis a few days after starting therapy with Tapazole (m ethimazole). Because of a recent report of use of recombinant human gr anulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in patients with propylthi ouracil-induced agranulocytosis,;5 mu g/kg/day G-CSF was administered and her granulocyte count returned to normal after three doses, on the sixth day after the last dose of methimazole. We conclude that in pat ients with drug-induced agranulocytosis, the use of G-CSF, in addition to discontinuation of the offending drug, hastens recovery and reduce s morbidity.