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Main Thrombo Bleeding Chemo Drugs Diseases Associates Links
There are several drugs that may cause thrombocytopenia. This site gives a comprehensive listing of drugs that may cause thrombocytopenia. Drugs cause thrombocytopenia by various mechanisms. Some may cause thrombocytopenia as a dose related bone marrow suppression while others may cause thrombocytopenia by immunological mechanisms. Newborn babies have a slightly lower level, but are normally within the adult range by three months of age. The risk of bleeding increases as the platelet count decreases, so people with less than 10,000 platelets per microliter of blood are at high risk of severe bleeding. Synthesis of thromboxane A2 and release of serotonin leads to vasoconstriction to reduce blood loss at the site of vascular injury. Normally, there are billions of platelets in the blood; however many chemotherapy drugs can lower the platelet count. Many factors can influence an individual's platelet count including exercise and racial origin. Anyone with fewer platelets has some degree of thrombocytopenia. A thorough drug history must be taken to rule out exposure to drugs known to increase platelet destruction in sensitive patients.
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