Final answer:
Carbamazepine should be discontinued if the absolute neutrophil count is below a certain threshold. A low ANC increases the risk of severe infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbamazepine should be discontinued (DC'd) if the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is below a certain threshold. The ANC provides an estimate of the body's ability to fight against infections. It is typically measured in cells per microliter (μl) of blood.
In general, a neutrophil count of less than 1000 cells/μl is often considered the threshold for discontinuing carbamazepine treatment. This is because a low ANC increases the risk of developing severe infections, which can be life-threatening.
Therefore, if a patient's ANC falls below this threshold, their healthcare team would be likely to discontinue their carbamazepine treatment to protect against the risk of infection.