MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hemolytic anemia caused by chemicals and toxins

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Hemolytic anemia caused by chemicals and toxins

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Alternative names	Definition

Alternative names

Anemia - hemolytic - caused by chemicals or toxins

Definition Return to top

Hemolytic anemia or destruction of red blood cells can be caused by factors other than disease.

Possible chemical or physical causes of hemolysis of red blood cells and hemolytic anemia include:

Anti-malaria drugs (quinolone compounds)
Sulfones
Sulfonamides (sulfasalazine)
Nitrofurantoin
Phenazopyridine
Pyridium
Intravenous water (not half-normal saline or normal saline)
Arsenic
Metals (chromium/chromates, platinum salts, nickel compounds, copper, lead, cis-platinum)
Snake bite (some snake venom contains hemolytic toxins)

Update Date: 6/2/2003

Updated by: Scott Howard, M.D., M.S., Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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