Drug interactions
Artemether / lumefantrine + Carbamazepine
Severity: Contraindicated
Artemether / lumefantrine and Carbamazepine: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Carbamazepine, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, can markedly lower artemether and lumefantrine concentrations. This may cause antimalarial treatment failure. Labeling contraindicates use of strong inducers.
What this interaction means in plain words
Artemether / lumefantrine and Carbamazepine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4, accelerating metabolism of artemether and lumefantrine.
What to do
Avoid the combination and choose an alternative antimalarial not affected by enzyme induction. Seek specialist advice for malaria treatment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Carbamazepine
- Cabotegravir + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Delamanid Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Dienogest / estradiol valerate Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Ensitrelvir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Artemether / lumefantrine with Carbamazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Artemether / lumefantrine and Carbamazepine are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Carbamazepine, a strong CYP3A4 inducer, can markedly lower artemether and lumefantrine concentrations. This may cause antimalarial treatment failure. Labeling contraindicates use of strong inducers.
How serious is the interaction between Artemether / lumefantrine and Carbamazepine?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination and choose an alternative antimalarial not affected by enzyme induction. Seek specialist advice for malaria treatment.
What other medicines interact with Carbamazepine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carbamazepine with, for example, Cabotegravir, Delamanid, Dienogest / estradiol valerate. The full list is on the Carbamazepine page.
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