RELATION OF DRUG THERAPY TO NEUTROPENIC STATES

Abstract

In 1931 the first evidence was presented that the disease agranulocytosis was caused by the administration of certain drugs.¹ Since that time there have accumulated a large amount of confirmatory data and reports of experiments from over the world that this concept is correct. The purpose of this paper is to summarize this evidence and to make further suggestions concerning the use of some of these drugs, particularly since new preparations are being introduced constantly and at least one of them (sulfanilamide) can be definitely added to the list of offenders. AMINOPYRINE The incrimination of aminopyrine in the production of neutropenic diseases is based, first, on geographic studies which show that the incidence of the disease closely parallels the use of the drug; second, on the fact that the incidence is higher for the groups of the population that are the most habitual users of the drug; third, on