title: [Three cases of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura showing an increase in the platelet count following clarithromycin treatment].
abstract: Macrolides have immuno-modulatory effects as well as anti-bacterial effects. We successfully treated three idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients with clarithromycin (CAM). Case 1: A 69-year-old male ITP patient was treated with CAM at a dose of 400 mg/day. His platelet count increased from 5.6 x 10(4)/microliter to 10.1 x 10(4)/microliter. Case 2: A 72-year-old male ITP patient was treated with CAM at the same dose. The platelet count increased from 1.3 x 10(4)/microliter to 12.3 x 10(4)/microliter. Case 3: A 68-year-old female ITP patient was treated with CAM at the same dose. The platelet count increased from 2.3 x 10(4)/microliter to 13 x 10(4)/microliter. These facts suggest that CAM is useful in the treatment of ITP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hokkaido Social Insurance Hospital.
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohe
authors.forename: Michihumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kohno
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D017291:Clarithromycin