Necrotizing gingivitis: a possible oral manifestation of ticlopidine-induced agranulocytosis
Rajandram, R.K.; Ramli, R.; Karim, F.; Rahman, R.A.; Fun, L.C.
New Zealand Medical Journal 120(1256): U2590
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 1175-8716 PMID: 17589558 Document Number: 611841
Agranulocytosis is a rare complication of ticlopidine and can be life-threatening. We report a case of ticlopidine-induced agranulocytosis and neutropenia (neutrophil count of 0.1 x 10(9)/L) with necrotizing gingivitis in a 54-year-old Malaysian-Chinese female. She was started on ticlopidine 250 mg twice daily 3 weeks prior to this hospital admission. We started her on intravenous metronidazole and amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin) and concurrently stopped ticlopidine. A series of clinical and laboratory investigations were carried out and a final diagnosis of necrotizing gingivitis possibly secondary to agranulocytosis was made. The patient was discharged home after 2 weeks of hospitalisation.