MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Drug-induced nonimmune thrombocytopenia

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Drug-induced nonimmune thrombocytopenia

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names	Definition Causes

Illustrations

Blood clot formation

Blood clots

Alternative Names Return to top

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

Definition Return to top

Drug-induced nonimmune thrombocytopenia is a condition in which certain drugs reduce the number of normal clot-forming blood cells (platelets).

Causes Return to top

Platelets are important in forming blood clots. Certain drugs may decrease the number of platelets by damaging the bone marrow where platelets are made. Decreased platelets may cause easy bruising or abnormal bleeding.

Bleeding can be life-threatening if it occurs in the brain or other vital organs. Other drugs (such as aspirin) can increase the risk of bleeding by stopping platelets from working normally.

Update Date: 4/27/2007

Updated by: Rita Nanda, M.D., Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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