Can Copaxone cause low white blood count?

[rendean]

My doc who handles my BP (neprhologist) called this evening and it seems my WBCs have dropped to 2.7 (norm 4.0-10.5) since my last labs done only 10 weeks ago. Absolute neutrophils were also decreased to 1.5 (1.8-7.8)

To top  it off I called my MS neuro today since the last 5 injections of Copaxone have caused 3 inch x 3 inch hematomas. He told me to stop the Copaxone for a month and then restart. If symptoms continue , I'll have to change meds.

BP doc and I went through all my meds and the other possibilities are my diuretic (Bumex) or my Trileptal.
My pharmacist thought it was the Trileptal.

Any one else have any experience similar to this?

Thanks,
Ren

[rendean]

Thank you for the research. I , too,look up the prescribing info from the package inserts and didn't find much but post-marketing reports did mention a few instances of neutropenia.


Whatever it is will have to wait until Tuesday. The message last night from the neuro's office at 6 pm was that he would call my BP doc on Tuesday when he returned to town.

Again, thank you for taking the time to research this for me. :-)

Ren

[Audrey_M]

I read the Copaxone drug insert.

It states that there are no know drug interactions.

Side effects in the hemic/lyphm systems include for the test group reported ecchymosis (bruise or contusion under the skin) in 8% of the test group and thrombocytopenia Low platelet count) in >1/100 patients in another clinical trial. There was no mention of lowered WBC count.

The package isert for Trileptal does not mention neutropenia (scientific name for low WBC) as a side effect, However the package insert for Bumex did report deviations in WBC (3%) without indicating whether these were high or low deviations. The was no mentions for either of these drugs of possible drug interactions.

Hope this helps!


Audrey

[rendean]

Thanks for the reply Julie! I FINALLY got a message back from my neuro's office at 5:45 pm. Guess I shouldn't have set my alarm to call him at 7:30 when he usually starts his appts. The neuro will call the doc directly on Tuesday , after the holiday to discuss it with him.

Guess I'll just settle in at home and send hubby out for meals and liquid refreshments ;-0.

Hope you have a great weekend with your daughter and enjoy YOUR bed!

Ren

[rendean]

bump please

[rendean]

PS I developed leukopenia once before while taking hydrochlorthiazide ( a diuretic) so perhaps it is the diuretic.