Hematopoietic growth factors in drug-induced agranulocytosis.

Drug-induced agranulocytosis (DIA) is a potentially fatal disorder. Hematopoietic growth factors have been used in the treatment of DIA. We report nine cases of DIA treated with granulocyte macrophage - colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in a dose of 300 microg/day. All the patients had evidence of systemic infection. Mean time to reach an absolute neutrophil count of 0.5 x 10(9)/L was three days. One patient succumbed to the disease. The cause of death was multiorgan failure. No adverse events were observed with GM-CSF. We conclude that hematopoietic growth factors are useful in shortening the period of neutropenia and reducing morbidity and mortality in these patients.