Ticlopidine-induced thrombocytopenia

A case is presented of a 58-year-old woman developing profound thrombocytop enia within one week after starting treatment with ticlopidine. Ticlopidine was prescribed following coronary artery stenting. The patient recovered r apidly after discontinuation of the drug, suggesting a possible relationshi p between ticlopidine and thrombocytopenia. Haematological disorders associ ated with ticlopidine, such as neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and bone marro w aplasia, are rare and usually seen within the first three months of thera py. As the use of ticlopidine increases, clinicians should be aware of haem atological complications associated with its use and inform their patients appropriately. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.