Consider the types of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat symptoms
associated with white blood cell disorders.
Select one of the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on
how this factor might impact the effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any measures you
might take to help reduce negative side effects.
Write a description of the hematologic disorder, white blood cell disorders, including types
of drugs that would be prescribed to patients to treat associated symptoms. Then, explain
how the factor you selected might impact the effects of prescribed drugs, as well as any
measures you might take to help reduce negative side effects.
Use current resources of not older than five years.
Pharmacotherapy for White Blood Cell Disorders
White blood cells are the gatekeepers that comprise of the immune system of the human
body. In leukopenia there is a reduced white blood cell count. When this takes place, the
immunity becomes weak and the person is at a greater risk of infections. Leukopenia is therefore
an abnormal diminish of circulating white blood cells, particularly the granulocytes. The phrase
leukopenia is generally used interchangeably with neutropenia. It may amount to diminished
generation of white blood cells or heightened use and damage. Primary neutropenia is very
seldom. At times, especially in children, primary neutropenia is hereditary and could be linked
with other developmental deficiencies neutropenia could be present as an isolated hematologic
abnormality or in connection with anemia. It is important to elicit a painstaking history, with
explicit reference to drugs, exposure to toxic compounds, likely genetic predilection, and
nutritional condition, such as fever and weight loss. Many severe methodical viral or rickettsial
infections generate neutropenia. The feature sequence is that which takes place with infectious
hepatitis. Leukopenia progresses during the first two days and could persist for three to seven
days. Leukopenia could be linked to numerous medical conditions like aplastic anemia and
autoimmune diseases, and consumption of specific drugs. The treatment of neutropenia relied
upon its etiology, severity and the projected risk. In circumstances where the etiological aspect
can be established and corrected, treatment must be founded without impediment. The risk of
infection relied on a sophisticated interrelationship of lymphocytes, neutrophils and
macrophages, cellular and flowing immunological defense, in conjunction with physical
limitation which usually offers guard against infecting organism.
When neutropenia is acute and protracted, a key challenge is acknowledging the
infection. Because of the scantiness of neutrophils, purulent generations are insufficient and
clinical symptoms could be negligible. Further important aspects promote infection. Additionally
quantitative deficiency of neutrophils, their backetericidal activity is frequently reduced. As a
consequence of regular utilization of manifold drugs, it can be hard to establish the responsible
drug. Frequently, the physician is compelled to make a cultured estimation, founded on his
PHARMACOTHERAPY FOR WHITE BLOOD CELL DISORDERS 2
assessment of the patient’s drug record and the chronological connection of the drugs to the
inception of neutropenia. On the other hand, cancer victims utilizing cytotoxic chemotherapy
drugs must be placed on an FDA-certified immunoprotective drugs. This is normally done at the
initial detection of immune mutilation. Thus, a blood test is implemented to establish the
weakened immune status. Relying on the form of cancer and the chemotherapy regimen that will
be utilized, some of these FDA-certified drugs may consist of:
Neupogen
Leukine
Neupogen is a granulocyte-colony invigorating factor drug, whereas Leukine is a granulocyte
macrophage-colony invigorating drug. These FDA-certified drugs strengthen the generation of
T-lymphocytes, and other immune cells that are essential in protecting the toxic effects on the
bone marrow at the time of chemotherapy. The patient can individually administer melatonin
succinate, and a host of other nutrients that have suggested safeguarding immune role and
enhancing chemotherapy productivity. Because a lot of chemotherapeutics are administered
intravenously, a well-put catheter is important. Overall, to reduce or prevent toxicity,
chemotherapy will just be administered if there is sufficient baseline blood picture, renal and
liver functions.
References
Cantow, W.F. and Kostinas, J.E. (2009). “Studies in Infections Mononucleosis. Changes
in the Granulocyte Series.” American Journal of Pathology, 46: 43-47.