It can be a Medication Side Effect
Certain medications have side effects that affect the number of white blood cells in the blood and can cause this illness. Here is a list of medications [5] that are known to have this side effect.
- Interferons – these are drugs that help improve symptoms of multiple sclerosis
- Mood stabilizers like lamotrigine and sodium valproate for conditions like epilepsy. In rare cases, these drugs can cause a dangerous decrease in neutrophils, which is a type of white blood cell
- Wellbutrin and Zyban are drugs containing bupropion, which helps treat depression and aids smoking cessation.
- Clozapine – this is an antipsychotic medication that also affects a type of white blood cells, called neutrophils. These blood cells are responsible for fighting infection.
- Minocycline is a common medication for bacterial diseases like UTIs and respiratory infections. Studies have shown that this antibiotic can suppress the response of white blood cells to fight harmful invaders.
- Steroids like Corticosteroids can also affect circulating white cells.
Discontinuing any of these medications will often improve symptoms of leukopenia because it will trigger the growth of new blood cells. If you are unsure of the generic name of any drug, and how it affects the immune system, it is advisable to ask your doctor.