Platelets are important in forming blood clots. Certain drugs may decrease the number of platelets by damaging the bone marrow where platelets are made. Decreased platelets may cause easy bruising or abnormal bleeding.
Bleeding can be life-threatening if it occurs in the brain or other vital organs. Other drugs (such as aspirin) can increase the risk of bleeding by stopping platelets from working normally.
Review Date: 4/27/2007
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Hematology
