AGRANULOCYTOSIS: A RARE ADVERSE EFFECT?
SHARIFAH FARADILA WAN MUHAMAD HATTA *
Endocrinology and Diabetes unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47 000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
ROHAYA ABDUL RAZAK
Endocrinology and Diabetes unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47 000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
FATIMAH ZAHERAH MD SHAH
Endocrinology and Diabetes unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47 000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
ROHANA ABDUL GHANI
Endocrinology and Diabetes unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 47 000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Antithyroid drugs have been used as the mainstay of treatment in thyrotoxicosis since the 1900's. Agranulocytosis is a recognised rare severe adverse drug reaction defined as an absolute reduction of circulating granulocytes, classically resulting in a neutrophil count below 500/μL. Individuals with such severe neutropenia are likely to experience life threatening, and fatal infections. Hence, physicians initiating ATDs should caution patients regarding common presentations including fever and sore throat, which should further prompt other doctors on early detection of this potentially fatal adverse effect.
Keywords: Agranulocytosis, thyrotoxicosis, neutropaenia