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Case Reports
. 2021 Nov 11;14(11):e246788.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-246788.

Nitrofurantoin-induced agranulocytosis

Vanessa Lopes #  1 , Joana Ramos #  2 , Patrícia Dias  2 , Arsénio Santos  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Nitrofurantoin-induced agranulocytosis

Vanessa Lopes et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Corrected and republished in

Abstract

Idiosyncratic drug-induced agranulocytosis is a rare life-threatening adverse reaction characterised by an absolute neutrophil count <500 cells/μL of blood. Nitrofurantoin has been associated with haematological adverse events, but few agranulocytosis cases worldwide have been reported. We present a case of a 68-year-old woman who presented with fever and agranulocytosis following treatment with nitrofurantoin. Extensive workup for agranulocytosis, including a bone marrow aspirate, was unremarkable. Treatment with nitrofurantoin was discontinued, which led to a complete recovery of the complete blood count. This case stresses the importance of monitoring treatments, given that widely used drugs are not free from severe adverse reactions.

Keywords: haematology (incl blood transfusion); safety; unwanted effects / adverse reactions.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

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