Carbamazepine may cause which of the following serious adverse effects?

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Carbamazepine carries a real risk of serious adverse effects in two areas: the skin and the blood. The most important and potentially life‑threatening reactions are severe cutaneous adverse reactions, such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. These reactions can start with fever and malaise and rapidly progress to a widespread, painful rash with mucous membrane involvement. The drug can also cause hematologic toxicity, most notably agranulocytosis, a dangerous drop in neutrophils that raises the risk of serious infection. Because both of these are life‑threatening and require stopping the drug and urgent medical attention, they epitomize the serious risks associated with carbamazepine. While nausea, weight changes, or hyperglycemia can occur with various drugs, they do not capture the same level of risk or the specific severe reactions linked to carbamazepine.