In neutropenia (drug-induced), what is the initial management step?

• A. Treat Underlying Infection
• B. Withdraw the Implicated Medication
• C. Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF)
• D. Bone Marrow Transplant

Answer: (B)

Drug-induced neutropenia happens when a medication suppresses neutrophil production in the bone marrow. The first and most important step is to stop the offending drug. Removing the agent addresses the cause and allows the marrow to recover, with neutrophil counts gradually increasing as the drug clears from the body. After withdrawal, you monitor the patient and provide supportive care as needed. If fever or infection develops, treat promptly with appropriate antibiotics. Growth factors like G-CSF can be considered to hasten recovery in severe or prolonged cases, but they’re not the initial step. Bone marrow transplant is reserved for more lifelong or irreversible marrow failure, not for initial management of drug-induced neutropenia.