Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia

Alternative names:

anemia - immune hemolytic - secondary to drugs; immune hemolytic anemia secondary to drugs

Definition:

An acquired form of hemolytic anemia caused by interaction of certain drugs with the red blood cell membrane, resulting in antibody production against the red blood cells and premature red blood cell destruction

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia occurs when certain drugs interact with the red blood cell membrane, causing the cell to become antigenic (the body identifies the cell as tissue not belonging to the body). Antibodies form against the red blood cells. The antibodies combine with the affected red blood cells and result in their premature destruction. The incidence is rare in children.

Drugs that can cause secondary immune hemolytic anemia are penicillins, cephalosporins, levodopa, methyldopa, mefenamic acid, quinidine, salicylic acid, sulfonamides, Thiazide diuretics, antazoline, chlorpromazine, isoniazid, streptomycin, and Motrin. Drug-induced hemolytic anemia is most often associated with G6PD deficiency.