Reactions 1368 - 10 Sep 2011

SOctreotide

Thrombocytopenia: case reportA 54-year-old man presenting with haematemesis and

light-headedness developed thrombocytopenia duringtreatment with octreotide [indication not clearly stated].

The patient, who had a history of oesophageal varicesand alcoholic liver disease, received a 50µg IV bolus ofoctreotide, followed by a continuous infusion of50 µg/hour, in addition to saline, packed RBCs, thiamine,folic acid and ciprofloxacin. After 9 hours, his platelet counthad decreased from 155 000/mm3 to 77 000/mm3 andremained low at approximately 50 000/mm3 for 3 days afteradmission. Laboratory tests for acute thrombocytopeniawere within normal ranges. A diagnosis of drug-inducedthrombocytopenia was presumed.

Octreotide therapy was withdrawn 3 days afteradmission, and rapid improvement was observed. Thepatient exhibited a platelet count of 114 000/mm3 and wasdischarged from hospital 5 days after admission.Rashidi A, et al. Octreotide-induced thrombocytopenia: A case report. Journal ofMedical Case Reports 5: No. 286, 5 Jul 2011. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-5-286 - USA 803059642

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Reactions 10 Sep 2011 No. 13680114-9954/10/1368-0001/$14.95 © 2010 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved