MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hemolytic anemia caused by chemicals and toxins

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Hemolytic anemia caused by chemicals and toxins

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition	Causes References

Alternative Names

Anemia - hemolytic - caused by chemicals or toxins

Definition Return to top

Hemolytic anemia caused by chemicals and toxins is a lack of enough red blood cells due to factors other than disease.

Causes Return to top

Possible substances that can cause hemolytic anemia include:

Anti-malaria drugs (quinine compounds)
Arsenic
Dapsone
Intravenous water infusion (not half-normal saline or normal saline)
Metals (chromium/chromates, platinum salts, nickel compounds, copper, lead, cis-platinum)
Nitrites
Nitrofurantoin
Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
Rho immune globulin (WinRho)
Ribavirin
Snake bites (some snake venom contains hemolytic toxins)
Sulfonamides
Sulfones

References Return to top

Schwartz RS. Autoimmune and intravascular hemolytic anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 164.

Update Date: 11/23/2008

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.