AboutEric Brandt Expertise I am a practicing pharmacist.On my drug information website, I have answered hundreds of questions to date. The articles posted on my site include Parkinson`s disease. depression, menopause, diabetes, sleep and aging, congestive heart failure, calcium channel blockers, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, ADHD, multiple sclerosis an more.
Experience I have experience in retail as well as hospital pharmacy pracice. Currently working in a hospital pharmacy. I am experienced in drug information. Over the last 6 years I have developed a successful web site for drug information.
The addressfor my drug information website is http://www.druginformation.bc.caThere you can read articles on varios areas of health interest. You can also leave me questions which I will personally answer. I also have a free health information newsletter called The Caplet. To subscribe send e-mail to
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Question I am chemotherapy patient after four [of six] rounds of fluroabmim [sp?]. I have been taking Bactrim ss [sulfamethoxazole-TMP is the generic]. I started this medication after two rounds. Fourth round was postponed one week due to low white cell [3.3]. Fifth round has been postponed twice due to low [65 and two weeks later 64] platelet counts. Does Bactrim inhibit or facilitate destruction of platelets. This drug is offered to prevent pneumosistic pneumonia. Can I discontinue this drug, or if I need it, are there other alternatives?
Thank you for your reply and time.
Best wishes,
-John Foulds
Answer Hi John,
Bactrim can cause serious hematlogic side effects. These include:
leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, megaloblastic anemia, aplastic and hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, purpura, agranulocytosis, hypoprothrombinemia, eosinophilia and bone marrow depression.
You need to discuss with your doctor what course of action to take.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc.Pharm
