Carbimazole-induced agranulocytosis: Case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT

Carbimazole induced agranulocytosis is a relatively rare but serious side effect and potentially fatal condition reported in 0.1-0.5% of cases treated with antithyroid medications. We report a young female with Grave's disease who developed agranulocytosis within 3 weeks of initiation of carbimazole, and recovered within 10 days of treatment with a barrier nursing care, broad-spectrum antibiotics, intravenous corticosteroids and granulocyte colony stimulating factor [G-CSF]. Recovery from agranulocytosis in our case seems compatible with similar cases reported in various areas of the world .We could not reach firm conclusion that the use of G-CSF may hasten recovery time. We noticed an immediate increase in WBC's count, especially neutrophils, following corticosteroid administration