Ritodrine-induced leukopenia: a case report and literature review

Ritodrine hydrochloride, a beta 2-adrenergic receptor agonist, has been widely applied in the treatment of premature labor for many years and generally considered as a safe medication. It can however induce some serious side effects, such as pulmonary edema, myocardial ischemia, ketoacidosis, miscellaneous metabolic alterations, and leukopenia. This report presents a rare case of leukopenia in a Chinese woman as a result of low dose continuous intravenous infusion of ritodrine, in which the white blood cell count dropped rapidly and recovered quickly following the cessation of administration. The rapid and spontaneous reversal of leukopenia was most probably due to early recognition and intervention of this drug-induced side effect.