A Rare Case of Tamoxifen-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Breast cancer is a commonly encountered cancer in women. Tamoxifen is a frequently used drug in breast cancer. It is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It is used for both chemoprevention and for palliative care in these patients. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia is a common diagnosis these days. Moreover, this condition can be life threatening or even fatal. It can either be due to increased platelet destruction or reduced formation. Either way, early diagnosis followed by discontinuation of the offending agent is the key to successful management. Here, we present a rare case of tamoxifen-induced thrombocytopenia.

Cefuroxime-Induced Thrombocytopenia: It’s Just Not in the Ring??

“…In addition, we could locate one report of thrombocytopenia following the use of cefuroxime. The mechanism by which cefuroxime could cause thrombocytopenia might be hypothesized to be immunological in nature: Probably due to an increase in drug-dependent plateletassociated IgG antibodies [2]. In our case, the patient's condition improved, with platelet count returning to normal within a fortnight after discontinuing the drug, thus confirming to a certain extent that the drug in question was the culprit.…”

“…DIT can be mainly due to two reasons: Either immunemediated (increased destruction of platelets) or due to suppression of bone marrow (reduced formation of platelets) [1]. History of drug intake and laboratory investigations usually helps in distinguishing DIT from Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) [2]. Among the commonly used beta-lactam antibiotics, cephalosporins with a thiomethyltetrazole ring in their chemical structure have been known to be associated with hypoprothrombinemia and thrombocytopenia.…”