[Drug-induced anemia]

Abstract

Drug-induced anemia includes many kind of anemias with different mechanisms. Mechanisms of drug-induced anemia are divided into two groups, namely erythrocyte injury in peripheral blood and damage of erythroid progenitor cells or erythroblasts. Hemolytic anemias are included in the former and megaloblastic anemia, ringed sideroblastic anemia and pure red cell aplasia are included in the latter. When the drug induced anemia is suspected, complete blood cell count including reticulocyte count and examination of the blood smear and blood chemistry tests should be done. Also, history of the medication should be precisely taken. As for the treatment of drug-induced anemia, the responsible drug should be stopped immediately and individual therapy will be done if necessary.