A review of cyclic antidepressant-induced blood dyscrasias

Abstract

Objective: To review the literature for cases of blood dyscrasias associated with cyclic antidepressants. Several types of blood dyscrasias are discussed.

Data sources: All references were selected through the use of MEDLINE. Indexing terms were blood, abnormalities, dyscrasias, antidepressants, agranulocytosis, and eosinophilia. The only constraints were English language and human subjects.

Study selection: All cases were included except for letters to the editor of various journals when pertinent data such as doses and additional medications were omitted.

Data synthesis: The review provides a table listing the different blood dyscrasias and the drug the patient was receiving. The table also includes time of onset, time to recovery, and several symptoms for each patient.

Conclusions: Common symptoms of various blood dyscrasias are discussed. The chemical structures of the antidepressants are related to phenothiazines, which are also implicated in causing blood dyscrasias. Recommendations for treatment of both the dyscrasia and depression are discussed.