Hypertension Medication Caused Rare Case of Severe Neutropenia in Patient
In an unusual case, a patient was diagnosed with febrile neutropenia after starting benazepril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The treatment is rarely associated with agranulocytosis, which is defined as severe neutropenia.
In an unusual case, a patient was diagnosed with febrile neutropenia after starting benazepril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The treatment is rarely associated with agranulocytosis, which is defined as severe neutropenia.
The case was
While the incidence of drug-induced agranulocytosis (DIAG) has remained stable, the condition is likely underreported, according to the authors. “The detailed pathological mechanism of DIAG is poorly understood and a causal relationship between the condition and a drug can be difficult to elicit,” they wrote.
The patient in question was admitted to the emergency department with throat pain and difficulty swallowing. The patient had a white blood cell count of 0.5 K/μL with absolute neutrophilic count of zero. Hemoglobin level and platelet count were both normal.
Once the treating physicians were able to conclude benazepril, which had been prescribed to the patient 2 months prior, was the culprit causing agranulocytosis, it was discontinued as a medication.
“This resulted in fast recovery of the white blood cell count,” the authors wrote. “The patient remained afebrile for one week and was discharged with a diagnosis of benazepril-induced agranulocytosis.
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