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How can some drugs reduce the number of neutrophils in the blood?
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white blood cell
Blood is made up of multiple components, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and water-rich plasma.
Drugs can reduce the number of neutrophils in the bloodâa condition known as neutropeniaâprimarily through two mechanisms:
- Hypersensitivity Reactions: Some drugs trigger the formation of antibodies. If a drug binds to a neutrophil, these antibodies react with the drug and destroy the cell.1
- Toxic Bone Marrow Damage: Certain medications, particularly chemotherapeutic agents used to treat cancer, can directly damage the bone marrow, where neutrophils are produced.1
A wide variety of substances can trigger these responses, leading to leukopenia or the more severe agranulocytosis. These include analgesics, antihistamines, tranquilizers, anticonvulsants, sulfonamide derivatives, and antithyroid drugs.21
When drug-induced neutropenia occurs, the primary treatment is the immediate and permanent withdrawal of the offending medication, often accompanied by antibiotics to manage secondary infections.21