Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Spironolactone-induced agranulocytosis.

K T Jivraj1, T W Noseworthy, E G Friesen

  • 1Department of Adult Intensive Care, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Drug Intelligence & Clinical Pharmacy
|December 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary

Spironolactone can cause agranulocytosis, a dangerous drop in white blood cells. This case highlights the need for vigilance regarding this rare but serious adverse drug reaction.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Sensing and characterization technologies at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Environmental monitoring and assessment·2013
Same author

Maternal trait personality and childbirth: the role of extraversion and neuroticism.

Midwifery·2012
Same author

Refractive index detector using Zeeman interferometry.

Applied optics·2010
Same author

NBS Detector Standards for the Far Ultraviolet.

Applied optics·2010
Same author

Reflective scattering from substrates and evaporated films in the far ultraviolet.

Applied optics·2010
Same author

Waiting time care guarantees: necessity or nemesis?

Healthcare management forum·2006

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Hematology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic used to treat hypertension and heart failure.
  • Adverse drug reactions, including hematological abnormalities, can occur with spironolactone use.

Observation:

  • A 57-year-old man developed agranulocytosis (severe neutropenia) four days after starting spironolactone.
  • Leukocyte counts dropped significantly, with a marked decrease in neutrophils.

Findings:

  • Discontinuation of spironolactone led to recovery of leukocyte and neutrophil counts.
  • Reintroduction of concomitant medications (domperidone, prochlorperazine) did not cause recurrence.
  • Substitution with triamterene did not result in recurrent leukopenia.

Related Experiment Videos

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for spironolactone to cause granulocytopenia.
  • Increased clinical awareness is crucial for early detection and management of this rare adverse drug reaction.
  • Careful monitoring of blood counts may be warranted in patients receiving spironolactone.