October - December 2009, Volume 5, Issue 4

Aydin Y, Direktor N, Berker D, Onder E, Gungor A, Celbek G

Gliclazid induced thrombocytopenia

Acta Endo (Buc) 2009, 5 (4): 533-536
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2009.533

Background. Drug induced thrombocytopenia is mostly related with nonsteroidal\r\nanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), anticonvulsants, sulfonamides, diuretics, cinchona\r\nalkaloid derivatives, penicillamine and gold salts. Oral sulfonylureas such as glibenclamide,\r\nchlorpropamide and glimepiride are known to induce thrombocytopenia.\r\nCase report. We report a 42 year old female admitted to emergency department with\r\na complaint of hematochesia. She has been using oral gliclazide for three years. Laboratory\r\nresults revealed bicytopenia: haemoglobin=8.9 g/dL (N=12.3-15.3), white blood count\r\n(WBC)=12100/μL (N=4400-11300), platelet count=4000/μL (N=150000-450000). All\r\nexaminations to etiology of thrombocytopenia were negative including autoimmune,\r\ninfectious (viral-bacterial) and haematological diseases. Colonoscopic examination showed\r\n50% construction of the lumen in the first 15 cm segment of the colon by an ulcerovegetant\r\nmass. Pathological examination was reported as adenocarcinoma. Thrombocyte levels\r\nincreased on the 4th day after stopping gliclazid treatment.\r\nConclusions. It is the first case of gliclazid induced thrombocytopenia in literature. So\r\nwe recommended that platelet count should be regularly checked in all patients receiving\r\nsulfonylurea drugs including gliclazid.

Keywords: sulfonylurea, gliclazid, thrombocytopenia

Correspondence: Yusuf Ayd?n, Memursen Bloklar?, KB-6, No4/2 Duzce Turkey,\r\nFax: +903805421387, telephone: +905054848465, email: dryusufaydin@yahoo.com