Agranulocytosis is a rare but serious adverse effect of sulfasalazine treatment. We present a case of a 51-year-old woman receiving sulfasalazine for inflammatory arthritis presenting with sore throat, fever, lethargy and leucopenia (white cell count 0.9×109/L). After 9 days of treatment with filgrastim (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, G-CSF), her white cell count increased to 77.4×109/L. This case highlights the importance of recognising sulfasalazine-induced agranulocytosis and the management of hyperleucocytosis following G-CSF treatment, to prevent harmful sequelae.
Journal article
BMJ
2015-07-15T00:00:00+00:00
2015
bcr2015210709 - bcr2015210709