title: Misoprostol-associated platelet aggregation dysfunction and increased gastrointestinal blood loss.
abstract: We report a case where an acquired deficit in platelet aggregation was associated with the use of misoprostol and contributed to increased gastrointestinal blood loss. A 70-year-old man presented with chronic gastrointestinal blood loss secondary to widespread telangiectases. Investigations showed prolonged bleeding time and severely impaired platelet aggregation in vitro. Withdrawal of misoprostol resulted in resolution of the prolonged bleeding time and improvement in the platelet dysfunction. We conclude that misoprostol can lead to impaired platelet function and may exacerbate blood loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Beales
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clemons
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Kong
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001760:Bleeding Time; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D010979:Platelet Function Tests; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D016595:Misoprostol