Definition

Hemolytic anemia caused by chemicals and toxins is a lack of red blood cells that occurs when red blood cells are excessively damaged by certain chemicals or toxins.

Alternative Names

Anemia - hemolytic - caused by chemicals or toxins

Causes

Possible substances that can cause hemolytic anemia include:

• Anti-malaria drugs (quinine compounds)
• Arsenic
• Dapsone
• Intravenous water infusion (not half-normal saline or normal saline)
• Metals (chromium/chromates, platinum salts, nickel compounds, copper, lead, cis-platinum)
• Nitrites
• Nitrofurantoin
• Penicillin
• Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
• Rho immune globulin (WinRho)
• Ribavirin
• Snake bites (some snake venom contains hemolytic toxins)
• Sulfonamides
• Sulfones

This list is not all-inclusive.

References

Little M. Anaemia. In: Cameron P, Little M, Mitra B, Deasy C, eds. Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 13.1.

Mentzer WC, Schrier SL. Extrinsic nonimmune hemolytic anemias. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 48.

Michel M. Autoimmune and intravascular hemolytic anemias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 146.