Haemolytic anaemia caused by piperacillin-tazobactam.

Author(s): Dapper I, Nauwynck M, Selleslag D, Hidajat M, Bourgeois M, Martens P, Wilmer A

Affiliation(s): Intensive Care Unit, AZ Monica, Antwerpen, Belgium. drDapper@azmonica.be

Publication date & source: 2009-11, Acta Clin Belg., 64(6):517-9.

Publication type: Case Reports

We report a case of haemolytic due to the use of piperacillin-tazobactam in a 50-year-old woman. Since 2002 4 other cases were reported. Either the presence of piperacillin as tazobactam can induce haemolysis. In all cases discontinuating the drugs resolves the haemolysis. Although drug-induced haemolytic anaemia due to piperacillin-tazobactam is rare, the common use of this antibioticum in the critical care setting should alert the physician as a possible culprit in cases of haemolytic anaemia.