Pharmacotherapy Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 48, 12/14/2009

Question

What is the average time frame for the increases in neutrophils to manifest on the white blood cell count (WBC) after starting glucocorticoid (steroid) treatment?

Answer

It is well known that glucocorticoids (e.g., dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, prednisone) cause increases in the white blood cell (WBC) counts.(1-9)  Upon further evaluation of the increased WBC count, it is an increase in neutrophils that primarily contributes to this effect.  In addition, it is known that of all of the mechanisms for glucocorticoid induced increases in neutrophils, it is their...