What drugs can contribute to low platelets?

I know I've seen several web sites that have a list of drugs that could possible lower platelets, but I can't seem to find any tonight. Don saw his GP today about shortness of breath and being light headed and he's being referred to a heart specialist tomorrow. I know they already wrote a prescription for Lasix (again) which was on the bad list, but I thought I'd read there are a couple of heart meds that aren't the best. I wanted to print out something to show the doc tomorrow, they think Dons heart isn't pumping real strong, and I imagine they want to try meds first before something else? Anyway, I always prioritize his health needs, so his heart gets first attention then his ITP, then all else, so if he needs a med to help his heart, that's what needs to be treated first. But if there's another drug similar that can do the same thing and not contribute to his low platelets, I'd like the docs to consider them. Thanks to all.

Here is one of the better sites that I've found, though I still wish they'd list the common names, too. Also, if you know the name of the drug, simply do a google search with it and thrombocytopenia together, and if it has that as a side effect, it should show up in your search. Here is the site, and a bit about them:
Drugs causing thrombocytopenia or low platelet count

By Kottapurath Kunjumoideen MD

medicineworld.org/physicians/hematology/thrombocytopenia.html

About Medicineworld.org
MedicineWorld.Org is a site dedicated to medical information. This site is maintained under close supervision of a physician, who is American board certified in Medical oncology, Hematology and Internal medicine. Our site is your one way stop to the whole world of medicine. Here you can find very useful medical information for the patients as well as the physicians. You may find information on breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, hypertension, asthma and much more. We are committed to give the latest and most up-dated information in the field of medicine.

If there are no alternatives to the medicine, there are some simple ways that you can mitigate the side effects, though anytime you can find a safer alternative way of treating, is always the best.

All the best to you and your husband!
April

Here is one of the better sites that I've found, though I still wish they'd list the common names, too. Also, if you know the name of the drug, simply do a google search with it and thrombocytopenia together, and if it has that as a side effect, it should show up in your search. Here is the site, and a bit about them:
Drugs causing thrombocytopenia or low platelet count

By Kottapurath Kunjumoideen MD

medicineworld.org/physicians/hematology/thrombocytopenia.html

About Medicineworld.org
MedicineWorld.Org is a site dedicated to medical information. This site is maintained under close supervision of a physician, who is American board certified in Medical oncology, Hematology and Internal medicine. Our site is your one way stop to the whole world of medicine. Here you can find very useful medical information for the patients as well as the physicians. You may find information on breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, hypertension, asthma and much more. We are committed to give the latest and most up-dated information in the field of medicine.

If there are no alternatives to the medicine, there are some simple ways that you can mitigate the side effects, though anytime you can find a safer alternative way of treating, is always the best.

All the best to you and your husband!
April

Thanks April, that is the list that I saw earlier, and couldn't find last night.

Donswife:

Unfortunately, it's mostly a shot in the dark. No one knows which meds will cause problems and which won't - everyone reacts differently. Like you said, you have to treat the priority problem first and that can be difficult when there are multiple disorders. Good luck with whatever med they decide on.

I note that acetaminophen is listed as an anti-inflammatory drug on the Medicineworld.org site. That's not right, is it? Karen R

I note that acetaminophen is listed as an anti-inflammatory drug on the Medicineworld.org site. That's not right, is it? Karen R

I have had to walk the heart health vs. ITP tightrope as well. I can tell you that Lasix did not impact my ITP at all. After I had my bypass surgery, I went on Plavix for a while as well; I've forgotten the exact numbers, but I think we agreed that I would take Plavix for so long as my count was above 20 (or it may have been 30, I don't recall). Below that, we would stop the Plavix, but I still took (and take) a baby aspirin every day.

The best advice is to get your cardiologist talking directly to your hemonc. Doctors don't always like to do that, but I think direct, open communication is the best way to arrive at a treatment plan. You have to balance the risks -- neither can be eliminated.

Best of luck.