Carbimazole-induced agranulocytosis treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [GCSF]: a report of two cases

ABSTRACT

Agranulocytosis is the most serious and potentially fatal side-efiect of antithyroid drug therapy. We report two cases presenting with carbimazole-induced agranulocyotsis. The first patient received 20 mg of carbimazole daily, and developed agranulocytosis within one month of commencementoftherapy. The second patientpresented with agranulocytosis complicated by a thyroid storm following Ingestion 60 mg of carbimazole, daily for two months. Both patients were treated with 300 mg of granulocyte colony factor [GCSF] subcutaneously [in addition to discontinuation of their anti-thyroid drugs] and broadspectrum antibiotics for neutropenic sepsis. The total white and neutrophil counts returned to baseline following five and six days of treatment, respectively, with the resolution the use of GCSF in the treatment will be being discussed