Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2025
09:38
Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
Published on: September 12, 2016
12.3K
Metaxalone-induced Immune Hemolytic Anemia.
Afoma Onyechi1, Jessica Ohemeng-Dapaah1, Rushin Patel1
1Department of Internal Medicine, SSM St. Mary's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives
|October 23, 2023
Summary
Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is a rare anemia type. Metaxalone, a muscle relaxant, can cause DIIHA, presenting with jaundice and orange urine, which resolves with treatment.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is an uncommon but serious adverse drug reaction.
- While beta-lactam antibiotics are frequently implicated, a wide range of medications can trigger DIIHA.
- Accurate diagnosis of DIIHA can be challenging, often requiring a high index of suspicion.
Observation:
- A patient developed jaundice and orange urine after initiating metaxalone for a lumbosacral sprain.
- Clinical presentation suggested a warm hemolytic anemia.
- These symptoms significantly improved upon metaxalone withdrawal.
Findings:
- Metaxalone, a skeletal muscle relaxant, was identified as the likely causative agent for DIIHA.
- Laboratory findings confirmed warm hemolytic anemia.
- Discontinuation of metaxalone led to remarkable symptom resolution.
Implications:
- This case highlights metaxalone as a potential cause of DIIHA, expanding the list of implicated drugs.
- Early recognition and drug withdrawal are crucial for managing DIIHA.
- Combination therapy with glucocorticoids and rituximab may be effective in treating severe DIIHA cases.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
1.5K
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
1.5K
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
170
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
170