Which mood stabilizer carries the risk for Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) in individuals of Asian descent with the HLA-B1502 allele?

Carbamazepine (Tegretol) is associated with an increased risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), particularly in individuals of Asian descent who carry the HLA-B1502 allele. This association has been established through various studies which indicate that individuals with this genetic marker are at a significantly higher risk of developing SJS when treated with carbamazepine. Given this risk, it's crucial for clinicians to screen for the presence of the HLA-B1502 allele before initiating treatment with carbamazepine in populations where this allele is prevalent.

In contrast, the other medications listed do not have this specific association with SJS related to the HLA-B1502 allele, which is why they are not the correct choice in this scenario. For instance, while valproic acid, lithium, and lamotrigine can have adverse effects, their correlation with SJS does not hinge on the presence of the HLA-B1502 allele in the same way that carbamazepine does. Thus, carbamazepine stands out due to its significant risk profile in this genetic context.