Pentoxifylline-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Hematology
• Drug Safety

Background:

• Pentoxifylline is used to treat peripheral artery disease and chronic lower limb ischemia.
• Thrombocytopenia is a rare but serious adverse effect of pentoxifylline therapy.
• Clinical presentation and management of pentoxifylline-induced thrombocytopenia are not well-documented.

Observation:

• A 72-year-old male with peripheral artery disease developed severe thrombocytopenia (platelets 68 × 10(3)/μL) four days after starting pentoxifylline.
• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), dengue fever, and pseudothrombocytopenia were excluded.
• Platelet counts normalized within 48 hours of discontinuing pentoxifylline.

Findings:

• Pentoxifylline was identified as the probable cause of thrombocytopenia based on the Naranjo scale (score = 7).
• The patient's thrombocytopenia resolved after drug withdrawal, confirming a causal link.
• This case highlights a rare adverse drug reaction to pentoxifylline.

Implications:

• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for pentoxifylline-induced thrombocytopenia in patients presenting with low platelet counts.
• Early recognition and prompt discontinuation of pentoxifylline are crucial for favorable outcomes.
• Awareness of this potential adverse effect is important for safe pentoxifylline prescribing.