Hypoplastic Anaemia-An Unusual Complication of Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride Therapy.

CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE hydrochloride, "Librium", was discovered in the Roche Research Laboratories a few years ago. It is 7-Chloro-2-methylamino-5phenyl-3H-1, 4-benzo diazapine and is structurally unrelated to any other psychotropic drug. It has been found to be an effective drug with a general lack of severe side effects in the treatment of anxiety, either occurring alone, or complicating a variety of other conditions. Results of studies have suggested its effectiveness in the treatment of anxiety and tension (Tauber, 1960), anxiety neuroses (Tobin and Lewis, 1960), anxiety and agitation in psychotic patients (Smith, 1960), and as an adjunct to psychotherapy (Toll, 1960). In angina pectoris, by relieving fear, anxiety and tension (Hirshleifer, 1960), in patients suffering from dermatoses influenced by emotional fluctuations (Robinson, 1960), and in allergic disorders (McGovern, 1960), its beneficial effects have been demonstrated. Minor side effects such as drowsiness, ataxia, nausea, constipation and skin eruptions are infrequent and readily controlled by reduction in dosage. The only more troublesomne complication of chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride therapy reported so far in medical literature is a temporary, reversible agranulocytosis (Kaelbling and Conrad, 1960; Wilcox, 1962). The pertinent details of two cases of hypoplastic anaemia attributable to the drug are recorded below. They are believed to be the first recorded