Thrombocytopenia refers to a condition in which your body does not have enough platelets, substances needed to clot blood. Low platelet counts can result in easy bleeding or bruising. Sometimes, certain drugs can cause this, or your body may attack its own platelets.
Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Various medications can lead to thrombocytopenia. MedlinePlus says that there are two types of drug-induced thrombocytopenia: immune and non-immune. Immune thrombocytopenia refers to a condition in which certain medications cause your body to make the antibodies (proteins) that destroy platelets. Non-immune thrombocytopenia refers to a condition in which certain drugs prevent your bone marrow from making platelets. Heparin (type of blood thinner) commonly causes the immune-type of thrombocytopenia, while chemotherapy drugs and valproic acid (a seizure medication) cause the non-immune kind of thrombocytopenia. MedlinePlus says that other medications that can cause thrombocytopenia include oral diabetic drugs, penicillin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, ranitidine, quinine, quinidine and sulfonamides.
Typical symptoms of drug-induced thrombocytopenia include easy bruising, bleeding even when you brush your teeth, tiny red spots on your skin and strange bleeding, says MedlinePlus.
Treatment includes discontinuing the problematic medication. Other treatments include platelet transfusions, plasmaphoresis and immunoglobulin therapy, says MedlinePlus.
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a medical problem in which your own immune system destroys the platelets your body produces, says MedlinePlus. Your body begins to produce antibodies (proteins) against your platelets. These antibodies bind to the platelets, and they are disposed of in your spleen. MedlinePlus says ITP affects more women but is more common in children.
Manifestations of ITP include heavy vaginal bleeding, nosebleeds (epistaxis), bleeding of your mouth and easy bruising. Your skin can also be covered with red rashes.
MedlinePlus says that children usually do not need treatment since ITP goes away on its own. In adults, ITP can be treated with danazol (type of medication), high-dose gamma globulin and immuno-supressive drugs (weaken the immune system). Sometimes, ITP can also be treated by filtering the antibodies out of your blood (plasmaphoresis). You can also obtain a type of blood therapy called anti-Rhd therapy.
Avoid taking aspirin, warfarin or ibuprofen if you have ITP, warns MedlinePlus. Doing so can lead to increased bleeding.
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is another type of thrombocytopenia manifestation. MedlinePlus says that TTP refers to a condition characterized by a low platelet counts and blood clots in the tiny blood vessels in your body. TTP results from the lack of an enzyme called ADAMTS13 needed for blood to clot.
According to MedlinePlus, manifestations of TTP include bleeding into your skin, confusion, fatigue, a fever, a fast heart rate, weakness and purple spots all over your skin. It can also cause trouble breathing, especially with exertion and yellowing of your skin.
Plasmaphoresis is the typical treatment for TTP. MedlinePlus says that this is done each day until your platelet counts are normal. Corticosteroids can also be used to suppress your immune system if this does not work. Your surgeon may also decide to remove your spleen as a last resort.
