Azathioprine Treatment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Double Edged Sword

Author: Jia XIA ; Li-qun HE
Publication Type:case report
Keywords: Systemic lupus erythematosus, azathioprine, pancytopenia
From: The International Medical Journal Malaysia 2015;14(2):61-62
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Extremely severe pancytopenia induced by low dosage of azathioprine in systemic lupus erythematosus patients is rare. A 40-year-old Chinese female was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. She suffered worse erythema, oral ulceration, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high anti-dsDNA in August 2013. Then she was initiated on oral azathioprine 50mg/d and extremely severe pancytopenia was seen in September 2013. She was recovered by a series of treatments. Regular monitoring of blood counts is highly recommended to reduce the possible serious myelosuppression induced by azathioprine.