Finasteride-induced thrombocytopenia
(Thrombocytopenia is any disorder in which there are not enough platelets. Platelets are cells in the blood that help blood to clot. This condition is sometimes associated with abnormal bleeding.)
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blackwell-synergy.com/doi/fu … ookieSet=1
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A 66-year-old man presented with macroscopic haematuria 5 years after a TURP for LUTS. His platelet count was 225 × 109/L…
…Within a year he developed recurrent LUTS and was commenced on finasteride, 5 mg once daily. Ten months later he was admitted after day-case nasal polypectomy and removal of a septal spur with primary epistaxis; his platelet count was then 15 × 109/L.
… despite six further weeks of steroid treatment the platelet count remained at 45 × 109/L.
…Finasteride was suspected to be the cause of thrombocytopenia and was discontinued; steroid treatment was slowly withdrawn.
At 1 and 6 months after finasteride withdrawal the platelet count recovered to 111 and 230 × 109/L, respectively.
[b]"To our knowledge, finasteride-induced thrombocytopenia has not been reported before.
However, limited information on four similar suspected cases has been reported to the Committee on the Safety of Medicines in the UK. [/b]
All patients were >65 years old and treated with the recommended dosage of 5 mg once daily.
Recovery and outcome information is incomplete."