Can tablets cause low white blood cell count

[numnum]

My mum has been told she has a low white blood cell count.

She is on tablets for arthritis. Can this cause low white blood cells or what else could it mean?

[LazyGun]

Not really enough information numnum. Some tablets may well have an effect on the white cell count, but it would likely be an uncommon side effect.

Do you know what drug/ tablets your mother is on? May be able to give you a clearer idea if we know what medication your mother is taking....

[rojash]

Would help if you said which tablets, but low WBC is common in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

[Sqad]

Many drugs can cause a low white cell count.......but no anti-arthritic ones that I know of.

Her low white cell needs to be investigated by a Haematologist as there are many other causes.

[deggers316]

beware most anti arthritic drugs can cause stomach bleed anyone on these should be regular checked up by a doc

[bednobs]

sqad - there are loads of anti-arthritis drugs that can cause low wbc - methotrexate, sulphazalazine, azathioprine, and so on and so on

[marval]

Yes I had a low wbc a while back, I am on methotrexate.

[Sqad]

bednobs/marval....I stand corrected.

[Eve]

It would help to know what kind of arthritis she has and what tablets she is on. Painkillers for osteo arthritis are very different to say immunosuppressant medication for inflammatory arthritis.

The level could also make a difference as to whether it is just a bit lower than normal (but still in the normal range), worryingly low etc... As rojash says, certain conditions, like rhumatoid arthritis, can cause a low white blood cell count in themselves.

Some arthritis meds can cause low white blood cell count but so can many other things and if a patient is on certain medications with certain risks there is often monitoring done such as with DMARDS for rhumatoid arthritis (Sulfasalazine, Methotrexate etc... as bednobs says).

I have had to have two weekly blood monitoring for an arthritis drug to check for possible problems and monitor inflammation levels.