Drug-Induced Blood Dyscrasias

AASTIC ANEMIA is a frequent manifestation L of drug toxicity, and is characterized by pancytopenia and a fatty hypoplastic bone marrow.^1-3It seems best to restrict the term aplastic anemia to conditions in which the red marrow has been largely replaced by fatty tissue, although normal or even hypercellular foci occasionally may be present. A drug or chemical is believed to play an etiological role in about one half the cases reported. Chloramphenicol appears to be by far the most important offender,⁴but published case reports and those sent to the Registry on Blood Dyscrasias of the American Medical Association attest to the potential bone marrow toxicity of mephenytoin (Mesantoin), sulfonamides, phenylbutazone (Butazolidin), some insecticides and solvents, and many other compounds (Table). However, it is difficult to separate drug-induced from idiopathic cases, and unfortunately there is no test which provides proof of an etiological relationship. Therefore, conclusions must