DRUGS may induce anemia by a variety of mechanisms,1 including blood loss, hemolysis, bone-marrow suppression and megaloblastic arrest. Anticonvulsants2 such as diphenylhydantoin,3 the barbiturates4 and primidone,5 alone or in combination, have been reported to cause megaloblastic anemia although this therapeutic complication is not frequent.6 In the case reported below, a severe anemia with megaloblastic arrest of the bone marrow appeared to be associated with the chronic ingestion of an analgesic containing aspirin, salicylamide and caffeine (Stanback). Case Report E.W., a 57-year-old housewife, was admitted to the Ohio State University Hospital on 3 occasions in 1967 because of anemia. During the . . .

Chronic ingestion of an analgesic containing aspirin, salicylamide, and caffeine may cause megaloblastic anemia, a severe anemia with bone marrow suppression.

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Megaloblastic anemia associated with chronic ingestion of an analgesic.

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