Leucopenia associated with beta-lactam antibiotic therapy

: Kaaja R, Valtonen VV

: 1984

: Acta Mecica Scandinavica

: Acta medica Scandinavica

: Acta Med Scand

: 216

: 5

: 531

: 4

: 0001-6101

Two cases of penicillin-induced and one case of cephalosporin-induced leucopenia are described. This unusual complication of widely used beta-lactam antibiotics can occur when these antibiotics are administered parenterally in high doses for prolonged periods (14 days or more). The close monitoring of the white cell count is important when treating patients with high doses of beta-lactam antibiotics for prolonged periods. We would like to emphasize that when penicillin- or cephalosporin-induced leucopenia is suspected, continuation with another beta-lactam antibiotic may be dangerous.