Małgorzata Terpińska, Sylwia Płaczkowska, Karolina Jurkowska, Agnieszka Piwowar

Drug-induced anemia as an important aspect in patient care
2018-02-02

DOI: 10.32383/farmpol/120047

Anemia is a pathological condition caused by an imbalance between the body’s oxygen demand and its limited supply because of disturbances in the number, structure and function of red blood cells. This condition manifests with many clinical symptoms that, although they are not specific, are common to various types of anemia, regardless of inducing factors. Therefore, early and proper diagnosis of anemia, as well as implementing appropriate therapeutic actions are difficult. Decreased hemoglobin concentration and/or red blood cell counts are the basic laboratory parameters for diagnosing and assessing the severity of anemia and these parameters should be interpreted along with other laboratory tests. The proper diagnosis of anemia and determination of its cause is the basis for effective treatment. Haematological abnormalities are one of the possible side effects when using pharmacotherapy and among them drug-induced anemias are an important group. Negative or toxic effects of the drug may favor the development of aplastic, immune haemolytic, haemolytic, megaloblastic and sideroblastic anemias. Cytostatics, immunosuppressive and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs play an important role in the induction of hematological disorders. The possibility of anemia occurrence is also important when using routine pharmacotherapy or OTC drugs. Knowledge of the mechanisms, causes of abnormalities and currently recommended laboratory markers in the diagnosis of anemia is helpful in effective medical and pharmaceutical care of the patient.

Keywords: anemia, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, drugs.

c Farm Pol, 2018, 74 (1): 52–63