Ceftaroline-Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report

Drug-induced thrombocytopenia is a rare but significant adverse effect of certain medications, with the potential for severe bleeding, thrombosis, and death. This report discusses a rare case of severe thrombocytopenia induced by ceftaroline in a 69-year-old male with a history of atrial fibrillation on rivaroxaban and allergies to amoxicillin and sulfa drugs. Following the initiation of ceftaroline for left lower extremity purulent cellulitis, his platelet count dropped from 204,000 to 4,000 x 103/mu L 3 / mu L within a day. Given the low platelet levels, anticoagulation therapy, and bleeding risk, immediate interventions and prompt recognition prevented major complications, highlighting the importance of recognizing drug-induced thrombocytopenia in clinical practice.