Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when a medicine triggers the body's defense (immune) system to attack its own red blood cells. This causes red blood cells to break down earlier than normal, a process called hemolysis.

T Causes
P In some cases, a drug can cause the immune system to mistake your own red blood cells for foreign substances. The body responds by making antibodies to attack the body's own red blood cells. The antibodies attach to red blood cells and cause them to break down too early.
P Drugs that can cause this type of hemolytic anemia include:
- Cephalosporins (a class of antibiotics), most common cause
- Dapsone
- Levodopa
- Levofloxacin
- Methyldopa
- Nitrofurantoin
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Penicillin and its derivatives
- Phenazopyridine (pyridium)
- Quinidine
P A rare form of the disorder is hemolytic anemia from a lack of glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). In this case, the breakdown of red blood cells is due to a certain type of stress in the cell.
P Drug-induced hemolytic anemia is rare in children.

T Symptoms
P Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Dark urine
- Fatigue
- Pale skin color
- Rapid heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)

T Exams and Tests
P A physical exam may show an enlarged spleen. You may have blood and urine tests to help diagnose this condition.
P Tests may include:
- Absolute reticulocyte count to determine if red blood cells are being created in the bone marrow at an appropriate rate
- Direct or indirect Coombs test to check if there are antibodies against red blood cells are causing red blood cells to die too early
- Indirect bilirubin levels to check for jaundice
- Red blood cell count
- Serum haptoglobin to check if red blood cells are being destroyed too early
- Urine hemoglobin to check for hemolysis

T Treatment
P Stopping the drug that is causing the problem may relieve or control the symptoms.
P You may need to take a medicine called prednisone to suppress the immune response against the red blood cells. Special blood transfusions may be needed to treat severe symptoms.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P The outcome is good for most people if they stop taking the drug that is causing the problem.

T Possible Complications
P Death caused by severe anemia is rare.

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P See your health care provider if you have symptoms of this condition.

T Prevention
P Avoid the drug that caused this condition.

T Alternative Names
P Immune hemolytic anemia secondary to drugs; Anemia - immune hemolytic - secondary to drugs

T Images
- Antibodies

T References
P Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC. Red blood cell and bleeding disorders. In: Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC, eds. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 14.
P Michel M. Autoimmune and intravascular hemolytic anemias. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 160.
P Price EA, Schrier SS. Extrinsic nonimmune hemolytic anemias. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, Heslop HE, Weitz JI, Anastasi, J, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 45.

T Review Date 2/1/2017
P Updated by: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

