DITP

Q: How much time does it take for platelets to recover after the discontinuation of a drug in Drug-Induced Thrombocytopenia (DITP)?



Answer: one week

Many times it is hard to know the reason behind thrombocytopenia in ICU. One of the major causes of thrombocytopenia in ICU is Drug-Induced. It is extremely important to confirm the recovery of platelet count after the discontinuation of the drug to confirm the diagnosis of DITP. The platelet count usually starts to increase within a day or two days after the discontinuation of the drug. Full recovery usually occurs within a week. 

 Few exceptions are patients who are in severe liver or renal insufficiency. Also, some drugs take more than usual expected time in recovery particularly alemtuzumab, eptifibatide, and gold salts.

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References:

1. George JN, Raskob GE, Shah SR, et al. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia: a systematic review of published case reports. Ann Intern Med 1998; 129:886. 

2. Pedersen-Bjergaard U, Andersen M, Hansen PB. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia: clinical data on 309 cases and the effect of corticosteroid therapy. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1997; 52:183. 

3. Rousan TA, Aldoss IT, Cowley BD Jr, et al. Recurrent acute thrombocytopenia in the hospitalized patient: sepsis, DIC, HIT, or antibiotic-induced thrombocytopenia. Am J Hematol 2010; 85:71.