Amisulpride-induced agranulocytosis: A case report

Abstract

Introduction

Agranulocytosis is a potentially life-threatening haematological side effect induced by typical and atypical neuroleptic. When agranulocytosis is associated with a specific anti-psychotic, the medication should be discontinued. This severe side effect is troublesome.

Case report

We report the case of a 60-year-old man, treated with amisulpride for schizophrenia, who developed an agranulocytosis. This patient had been treated with first and second generation anti-psychotic drugs during his life and had already been exposed to many neuroleptics without any signs of toxicity. However, after three days of the introduction of amisulpride he presented a rapid onset agranulocytosis (leukocytes 1.2 G/L and neutrophils 0.4 G/L). After discontinuation of amisulpride, blood count returned to normal. The favorable evolution after discontinuation of treatment: the normality of biological and cytological examinations is in favor of a causal relationship between this severe neutropenia al introduction of amisulpride.

Conclusion

This case report highlights the risk of amisulpride in inducing agranulocytosis, a risk underestimated in regard of the clozapine risk to induce agranulocytosis or neutropenia. For this reason, it seems reasonable to recommend performing a blood count before introduction and during the treatment by anti-psychotics.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.