AGRANULOCYTOSIS: A RARE ADVERSE EFFECT?

Antithyroid drugs have been used as the mainstay of treatment in thyrotoxicosis since the 1900's. Agranulocytosis is a recognised rare severe adverse drug reaction defined as an absolute reduction of circulating granulocytes, classically resulting in a neutrophil count below 500/μL. Individuals with such severe neutropenia are likely to experience life threatening, and fatal infections. Hence, physicians initiating ATDs should caution patients regarding common presentations including fever and sore throat, which should further prompt other doctors on early detection of this potentially fatal adverse effect.