Which medication is known to cause agranulocytosis and is not FDA approved as a mood stabilizer?

The medication that is known to cause agranulocytosis and is not FDA approved as a mood stabilizer is carbamazepine. Agranulocytosis is a serious condition characterized by dangerously low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting off infections. Carbamazepine, while effective for certain conditions such as epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia, has been associated with this potentially life-threatening side effect.

Carbamazepine is often used off-label for mood stabilization, particularly in bipolar disorder, but it does not have specific FDA approval for this purpose. Monitoring of blood counts is essential for patients taking carbamazepine to detect any early signs of agranulocytosis. In contrast, medications like lamotrigine and topiramate, although sometimes used in mood disorders, do not carry the same risk of agranulocytosis and are often considered safer alternatives. Olanzapine, while used in the management of mood disorders, is primarily classified as an antipsychotic rather than a mood stabilizer and also does not carry the same risk of agranulocytosis as carbamazepine.

Thus, carbamazepine's notable risk of agranulocyt