2019 Research Forum

Applicant: Tyler Torrico MS III Principal Investigator: Carlos Meza MD R2 Faculty Sponsor: Sara Abdijadid DO MS

Aripiprazole-Induced Neutropenia in a Geriatric Patient: A Case Report

Tyler Torrico MS III, Nakisa Kia’i MS III, Carlos Meza MD R2, Sara Abdijadid DO MS

INTRODUCTION Aripiprazole induced neutropenia has not been documented in a geriatric patient prior.

PURPOSE A 68-year-old Caucasian male was hospitalized for suicidal plans and intention. Citalopram therapy was initiated early in his care. Due to continued suicidal ideation, levothyroxine and aripiprazole were added as augmentation agents to citalopram. Shortly after this addition, complete blood count revealed neutropenia, eventually hitting a critically low value of 0.7. Once aripiprazole therapy was removed, the neutropenia spontaneously resolved. DISCUSSION While aripiprazole-induced neutropenia is rare, use of aripiprazole in outpatient clinics is common. Due to its frequent use, clinicians should be made aware of this potentially life-threatening adverse effect. There is concern for patients started on aripiprazole who do not receive proper follow-up monitoring that they may develop a life-threatening neutropenia, this is of even greater concern to the geriatric population who can be more vulnerable due to other comorbid medical conditions. CONCLUSION Neutropenia is a rare side effect of aripiprazole. Monitoring the patients complete blood count is crucial when adding pharmacologic agents that are known to possibly contribute to blood dyscrasias, no matter the frequency of the side effect profile.

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