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Carbimazole agranulocytosis — GPhC CRA MCQ

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EasyEndocrine TherapeuticsCarbimazole agranulocytosisGPhC CRA

A 39-year-old woman taking carbimazole 15mg daily for Graves' disease asks for throat lozenges because she has fever and a severe sore throat. Her last full blood count was normal two months ago. What monitoring is required?

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Correct answer: D — Advise urgent same-day blood count and medical review

Carbimazole can rarely cause agranulocytosis, which may present with fever and sore throat. The patient needs urgent full blood count and medical advice, and local protocols may advise withholding treatment pending assessment. Symptomatic OTC treatment alone is unsafe. A previously normal blood count does not exclude current neutropenia.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS Hyperthyroidism