Studies in Drug‐Induced Megaloblastic Anaemia

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Abstract
The sequence of events in the production of megaloblastic anaemia following the administration of the drug pyrimethamine has been studied. An increase in the proportion of hypersegmented neutrophil polymorphs was found to be the most sensitive index of folic acid status. Abnormal values for urinary formiminoglutamic acid excretion and serum L. casei activity were found but these values returned to within the normal range when the dose of the antagonist was increased. The development of megaloblastic haemopoiesis was associated with a marked fall in the serum vitamin B12 level and a rise in the serum iron level.