Thrombocytopenia induced by clopidogrel: a rare adverse effect
  • Catarina Távora
    Department of Medicine, Cascais Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Joana Rodrigues dos Santos
    Department of Medicine, Cascais Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
  • Diogo Cruz
    Department of Medicine, Cascais Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal

Keywords

Thrombocytopenia, ITP, clopidogrel, TPO-RA, romiplostim

Abstract

Introduction: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) can be induced by several drugs but there are few case reports of ITP induced by clopidogrel. Second-line treatment with thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RA) presents solid evidence and should be considered in patients in need of elective surgery who are poor responders to steroids.
Case description: We report the case of a 79-year-old male who developed severe immune thrombocytopenic purpura after initiating treatment with clopidogrel. Because he needed elective orthopaedic surgery and he did not respond to corticotherapy and immunoglobulin, second-line treatment with romiplostim was initiated with a significant increase in platelet count.
Discussion and conclusion: Clopidogrel can induce ITP and this diagnosis should be considered in patients who present with isolated thrombocytopenia. First-line therapy of ITP is not always successful; second-line treatment with TPO-RA has a high response rate and should be considered in patients in need of elective surgery who have failed to respond to first-line therapy.

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    Published: 2023-10-05
    Issue: 2023: Vol 10 No 11 (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Távora C, Rodrigues dos Santos J, Cruz D. Thrombocytopenia induced by clopidogrel: a rare adverse effect. EJCRIM 2023;10 doi:10.12890/2023_004045.

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