Drug-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia

Drug-induced thrombocytopenia should be suspected in any patient with acute thrombocytopenia of unknown cause. Although the incidence is low, more than 100 drugs have been implicated in thrombocytopenia, including quinine, sulfonamides, abciximab, carbamazepine, and vancomycin, as well as herbal remedies and several nonprescription drugs. This review summarizes the current understanding of pathogenesis and provides a guide for diagnosis and management of this potentially dangerous disorder.