Three Cases of Cytopenia during Azathioprine Treatment for Bullous Disease.
- Author:
Jin Woong JUNG
1
;
Hyun Jae JOE
;
Jun Il KWON
;
Young Wook RYOO
;
Sung Ae KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea. skksasf@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Azathioprine;
Myelosuppression;
Cytopenia
- MeSH:
Azathioprine*;
Blood Cell Count;
Coinfection;
Dermatology;
Dyspnea;
Fever;
Nausea;
Pallor;
Sepsis
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2018;56(4):265-268
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive drug that has been widely used in dermatology for the treatment of immunobullous diseases. Myelosuppression is the most important side effect and requires close observation of the complete blood cell count. The clinical findings of myelosuppression include general weakness, poor oral intake, nausea, dyspnea, and pallor. It can occur within several weeks to years after initial azathioprine treatment; thus, a weekly full blood count for the first 4 weeks, followed by reduced frequency of monitoring to a minimum of once every 3 months is recommended. If the myelosuppression is not treated properly, it can lead to fever, secondary infection, sepsis, and even death. Herein, we present three educational cases for dermatologists to order to underline the risk of myelosuppression during azathioprine treatment.
