Piperacillin-induced thrombocytopenia reversed by high-flux hemodialysis in an uremic patient

Hemodial Int. 2012 Oct:16 Suppl 1:S50-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1542-4758.2012.00745.x.

Abstract

Drug-induced thrombocytopenia in an infected patient often is overlooked. We present a 74-year-old uremic female with continuous renal replacement therapy developed severe thrombocytopenia during the treatment course of piperacillin/tazobactam. Platelet counts recovered rapidly after discontinuing piperacillin/tazobactam and receiving high-flux hemodialysis. The George criteria indicates piperacillin/tazobactam as the probable cause of thrombocytopenia in this patient. Immediate withdrawal of the causative drug is important for drug-induced thrombocytopenia. Prompt high-flux hemodialysis may be an adjunctive management for uremic patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Penicillanic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Penicillanic Acid / adverse effects
  • Penicillanic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Piperacillin / administration & dosage
  • Piperacillin / adverse effects*
  • Platelet Count
  • Renal Dialysis*
  • Tazobactam
  • Thrombocytopenia / blood
  • Thrombocytopenia / chemically induced*
  • Thrombocytopenia / therapy*
  • Uremia / blood
  • Uremia / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Penicillanic Acid
  • Tazobactam
  • Piperacillin