Aplastic anemia is a rare but serious medical condition in which the body’s bone marrow fails to produce enough new blood cells, resulting in a decreased number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The most common drug causing aplastic anemia is the chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide. Cyclophosphamide is a type of alkylating agent, which is a drug that works by binding to and damaging the DNA of cells. This can damage the bone marrow, resulting in aplastic anemia. Cyclophosphamide is commonly used to treat certain types of cancer, but its use carries a risk of serious side effects, including aplastic anemia.
Other drugs that may cause aplastic anemia include chloramphenicol, a commonly used antibiotic; sulfonamides, such as sulfasalazine, which is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease; and anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin, which is used to treat epilepsy. All of these drugs have the potential to damage bone marrow and lead to aplastic anemia, although the risk is much lower than with cyclophosphamide.
Finally, there are some drugs that can increase the risk of aplastic anemia in people who already have an inherited form of the condition. These include certain drugs used to treat gout, such as allopurinol and probenecid, as well as certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as captopril and enalapril.
In summary, the most common drug causing aplastic anemia is cyclophosphamide, a chemotherapy drug commonly used to treat certain types of cancer. Other drugs may also increase the risk of aplastic anemia, including certain antibiotics, sulfonamides, anticonvulsants, and drugs used to treat gout or high blood pressure. It is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any medications you are taking before starting them.
