Transient neutropenia has been reported with which drug?

• A. Risperidone
• B. Quetiapine
• C. Clozapine
• D. Olanzapine

Answer: (C)

Transient neutropenia is a known hematologic effect associated with clozapine. Among antipsychotics, clozapine has the strongest and most well-established risk of lowering neutrophil counts, which can occasionally be transient but may progress to more serious agranulocytosis if not monitored. This is why clozapine requires regular blood monitoring (white blood cell and absolute neutrophil count) and predefined thresholds for continuing, adjusting, or stopping therapy. The other antipsychotics listed—risperidone, quetiapine, and olanzapine—do not carry the same level of risk for neutropenia to the same degree and are not typically associated with transient neutropenia as a key, well-documented adverse effect.