Which class of medication is known to cause myelosuppression?

Myelosuppression refers to the bone marrow's reduced ability to produce blood cells, which can result in various complications such as anemia, increased risk of infections, and bleeding issues due to lower counts of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Chemotherapy agents are specifically designed to target and kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they can also inadvertently affect other rapidly dividing cells in the body, including those in the bone marrow. This unintended effect leads to a decrease in the production of blood components, resulting in myelosuppression.

In contrast, antibiotics primarily serve to treat infections by targeting bacteria. While some antibiotics may have side effects, they are not typically associated with myelosuppression. Antihypertensives focus on managing blood pressure and do not directly impact bone marrow function. Antidepressants, which are used to treat mood disorders, also do not have a known major effect on bone marrow suppression. Thus, chemotherapy agents stand out as the class of medication most prominently linked with the risk of myelosuppression.