Captopril-induced agranulocytosis: a case report.

Captopril 12.5 mg twice daily was initially administered given to a woman with chronic renal failure and hypertension. Three weeks later, she developed chills, high fever and sore throat. Hemogram showed severe neutropenia; the white cell count showed 600/cu mm; bone marrow aspirate and biopsy revealed a paucity of myeloid series. Antineutrophil antibody was not detected in the serum. The neutrophil counts returned to normal after captopril was discontinued two weeks later. We recommend that the peripheral white blood cell count in patients whom captopril is prescribed must be carefully monitored in the first three months, particularly in those with impaired renal function.