The leukopeniaalso called leukocytopenia, is an abnormality in which the values of white blood cells (leukocytes) below normal. Leukocytes are blood cells responsible for defending against germs or other external aggressions.
This is an anomaly that usually does not occur characteristic or visible symptomsit is therefore detected during a blood test for an unrelated health problem or during a routine medical examination.
The decrease in white blood cells below normal values, which is usually between 4,500 and 10,000 mm3 in adults, can be due to an infection – such as covid, influenza, hepatitis, mononucleosis, fever typhoid… -, autoimmune diseases such as lupus or Felty’s Syndrome, cancer (leukaemia) or effects of drugs or drugs, such as radio or chemotherapy, antibiotics or corticosteroids, etc.
Medications
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Another drug that can cause leukopenia is paracetamol. However, it is among those classified as “very rare side effects”, that is, the statistic is that one in 10,000 people suffer from it.
When leukopenia appears associated with the consumption of drugs, their suspension is usually sufficient to allow a complete recovery of the number of leukocytes, overcoming these alterations without major problems.