Hemolytic anemia caused by chemicals and toxins is a lack of red blood cells that occurs when red blood cells are excessively damaged by certain chemicals or toxins.
Causes
Possible substances that can cause hemolytic anemia include:
- Anti-malaria medicines (quinine compounds)
- Arsenic
- Dapsone
- Intravenous water infusion (not half-normal saline or normal saline)
- Metals (chromium/chromates, platinum salts, nickel compounds, copper, lead, cis-platinum)
- Nitrites
- Nitrofurantoin
- Penicillin
- Phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
- Rho immune globulin (WinRho)
- Ribavirin
- Snake bites (some snake venom contains hemolytic toxins)
- Sulfonamides
- Sulfones
This list is not all-inclusive.
Alternative Names
Anemia - hemolytic - caused by chemicals or toxins
References
Elghetany MT, Banki K. Erythrocytic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 33.
Mentzer WC, Schrier SL. Extrinsic nonimmune hemolytic anemias. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 48.
Michel M. Autoimmune and intravascular hemolytic anemias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 146.
Review Date 1/29/2026
Updated by: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.