drug-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia drug-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia drug-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a form of hemolytic anemia. drug-induced autoimmune heamolytic anemiaspecialtyhematology in some cases, a drug can cause the immune system to mistakenly think the body's 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. it is known that more than 150 drugs can cause this type of hemolytic anemia. the list includes : cephalosporins (a class of antibiotics) dapsone levodopa levofloxacin methyldopa nitrofurantoin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) - among them, the commonly used diclofenac and ibuprofen phenazopyridine (pyridium) quinidine penicillin in high doses can induce immune mediated hemolysis via the hapten mechanism in which antibodies are targeted against the combination of penicillin in association with red blood cells. complement is activated by the attached antibody leading to the removal of red blood cells by the spleen. the drug itself can be targeted by the immune system, e.g. by ige in a type i hypersensitivity reaction to penicillin, rarely leading to anaphylaxis.