Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor for the treatment of drug induced agranulocytosis.

Drug induced agranulocytosis is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication. In some cases, it may be associated with hypoplasia and depletion of granulocytic precursors in the marrow, leading to prolonged neutropenia. We report on the use of granulocytic-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in two such cases, at a dose of 10 micrograms per kilogram per day subcutaneously. The absolute neutrophil count rose above 500/mm3 in 3 days in both cases. We believe that GM-CSF expedited the recovery of granulocyte counts in our patients and warrants further study in the management of drug induced neutropenia.