Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when a medicine triggers the body’s immune system to attack its own red blood cells.

About 16 to 18 per cent of cases of acquired immune haemolytic anaemia are caused by drug administration. In some cases, a drug can cause the immune system to mistakenly think its own red blood cells are dangerous, foreign substances. Antibodies then develop against the red blood cells.

The antibodies attach to red blood cells and cause them to break down too early. Drugs that can start an immune reaction against red blood cells are Penicillin and its derivatives, Cephalosporins, Levodopa, Methyldopa, Quinidine and Some anti-inflammatory drugs.