Which atypical antipsychotic is known to reduce the rate of suicide in psychotic patients but carries a risk of agranulocytosis?

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Prepare for the Pennsylvania Psychiatry EOR Test. Explore flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and detailed explanations. Get exam-ready!

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that is particularly notable for its effectiveness in treating treatment-resistant schizophrenia and decreasing suicidal behavior in psychotic patients. The unique attribute of clozapine is that it has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of suicide among individuals with schizophrenia, which is a critical consideration in the management of these patients.

However, clozapine is also associated with serious side effects, one of which is agranulocytosis, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by a dangerously low level of white blood cells (neutrophils). This side effect necessitates regular monitoring of the patient's blood counts, which is a vital part of clozapine management to ensure patient safety.

The other atypical antipsychotics listed do not carry the same level of risk for agranulocytosis nor do they consistently demonstrate a significant reduction in suicidal ideation in the same manner as clozapine. Therefore, clozapine stands out in the context of this question for both its efficacy in suicide prevention and its associated risk profile.

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