What Are the Risk Factor for Aplastic Anemia
A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of getting a disease. For example, certain cancers have different risk factors. Exposing skin to strong sunlight is a risk factor for skin cancer. Smoking is a risk factor for cancers of the lung, mouth, larynx, bladder, kidney, colon, and several other organs. But having a risk factor, or even several, does not mean that you will get the disease.
We know that certain aplastic anemias are inherited. For acquired aplastic anemia, the major risk factors are medicines, virus infections, and chemicals. Many years ago, one drug, chloramphenicol, was associated with several cases of aplastic anemia. For that reason, it is no longer used in the United States. But it is still available in many other countries. Other medicines linked to aplastic anemia are:
- nonsteroidal medicines for pain and inflammation such as indomethacin (Indocin), piroxicam (Feldene), diclofenac (Voltaren)
- sulfonamides, a group of antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections
- antithyroid drugs such as propylthiouracil and methimazole (Tapazole)
- Furosemide (Lasix), a diuretic medicine used to help get rid of excess fluid in the body
- phenothiazines (Thorazine, Compazine), medicines used for nausea and certain psychiatric problems
- Allopurinol (Zyloprim), used for treating gout
- Ticlopidine — used to prevent strokes and heart attacks
This is only a list of the drugs most often associated with aplastic anemia. Other drugs may also cause this disease. The best way to avoid aplastic anemia from drugs is to take medicines only if they are necessary.
Exposure to chemicals such as solvents and pesticides is also a risk factor. This can occur either in the home or in the workplace.