Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia

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Antibodies

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia is an acquired form of hemolytic anemia caused by interaction of certain drugs with the immune system. The result is the production of antibodies against the red blood cells and premature red blood cell destruction.

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

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia occurs when certain drugs start an immune reaction against red blood cells. In some instances, the drugs interact with the red blood cell membrane, causing the cell to become antigenic. This means the body identifies these cells as not belonging to the body. Antibodies form against the red blood cells. The antibodies attach to red blood cells and cause their premature destruction. This condition is rare in children.

Drugs that can cause immune hemolytic anemia include the following:

• Penicillin and its derivatives
• Cephalosporins
• Levodopa
• Methyldopa
• Quinidine
• Some anti-inflammatory drugs

There are many other rarer causes of drug-induced hemolytic anemia. Drug-induced hemolytic anemia is most often associated with G6PD deficiency. However, G6PD deficiency and hemolysis is due to oxidative stress in the red cell, not an autoimmune phenomenon.

Review Date: 04/15/2005
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, MD, Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.