Meropenem-induced Thrombocytopenia: A rare but serious ADR

General
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Meropenem is one of the most trusted carbapenem antibiotics in ICUs, often used as a last line of defense against resistant infections. But even life-saving drugs can surprise us with unexpected side effects.

One such rare case is Meropenem-induced thrombocytopenia, causing a significant drop in platelet count after drug exposure.

MEROPENEM INDUCED THROMBOCYTOSIS – A RARE ADVERSE DRUG REACTION | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH

:magnifying_glass_tilted_right: What’s known?

Incidence is very low, but cases have been reported in critically ill patients.

Possible mechanisms:

  1. Immune-mediated destruction of platelets.
  2. Direct bone marrow suppression.
  3. Clinical presentation: Easy bruising, bleeding gums, or sudden platelet drop on labs.
  4. Resolution often occurs after stopping the drug and switching therapy.

:warning: Why it matters:

Thrombocytopenia in ICU is usually blamed on sepsis, heparin, or other common drugs. Meropenem is rarely suspected, which delays recognition.

Missing this ADR can increase bleeding risk and complicate already fragile ICU cases.

Have you ever seen or heard of antibiotic-induced thrombocytopenia during your training? Do you think rare ADRs like this are under reported due to lack of awareness?

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Informative

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Antibiotics fight against the infection and causes many side effects but Meropenem Decrease the platelet and also leads to bleeding gums is new thing for me

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Informative

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A close monitoring is necessary.

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