Sideroblastic anaemia during fusidic acid treatment.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: To describe cases of fusidic acid-associated sideroblastic anaemia from the French Pharmacovigilance database.

RESULTS: Six cases of sideroblastic anaemia associated with oral fusidic acid treatment were retrieved. Four females and two males (mean age 65.3 yr) developed severe anaemia (mean haemoglobin level: 6.9 g/dL) within 32-190 d (mean: 81 d) of treatment. Bone marrow aspirates showed dyserythropoiesis and ringed sideroblasts in all patients. Four patients required repeated blood transfusions. After fusidic acid discontinuation in five patients, complete recovery was obtained. In one patient, rechallenge with fusidic acid resulted in recurrence of anaemia that resolved after definitive discontinuation of the drug.

CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that fusidic acid should be added to the list of drugs that can cause sideroblastic anaemia.