Drug-induced nonimmune thrombocytopenia

Alternative names:

nonimmune thrombocytopenia - drug-induced; thrombocytopenia (nonimmune) drug-induced

Definition:

A reduction in functional platelets that is triggered or associated with a drug.

Thrombocytes (platelets) are an important component in the body's protective clotting mechanism. Certain drugs may damage the bone marrow causing decreased production of platelets. Decreased platelets may lead to easy bruising or an increased tendency to bleed. This can be life threatening if the bleeding is in the brain or other vital structure. Other drugs may not decrease the production of platelets by may destroy their function so that the platelets cannot adhere to one another. A typical example of this mechanism is aspirin which causes decreased stickiness in the platelets.