Drug interactions
Artesunate + Carbamazepine
Severity: Moderate
Artesunate and Carbamazepine: moderate 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 induces UGT and CYP enzymes that handle artesunate and its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin. Exposure to the active metabolite may fall, raising the risk of treatment failure in malaria.
What this interaction means in plain words
Artesunate and Carbamazepine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Artesunate belongs to Anti Parasitic; Carbamazepine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces UGT (and CYP2A6/CYP3A4) metabolism of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin.
What to do
Monitor parasitological and clinical response closely, particularly in severe malaria. Consider an alternative antiseizure drug if prolonged therapy is needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Carbamazepine
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Delamanid Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Dienogest / estradiol valerate Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
Other interactions of Artesunate
- Artesunate + Rifampicin Major
- Artesunate + Eltrombopag Moderate
- Artesunate + Imatinib Moderate
- Artesunate + Nevirapine Moderate
- Artesunate + Phenytoin Moderate
- Artesunate + Regorafenib Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Artesunate with Carbamazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Artesunate and Carbamazepine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Carbamazepine induces UGT and CYP enzymes that handle artesunate and its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin. Exposure to the active metabolite may fall, raising the risk of treatment failure in malaria.
How serious is the interaction between Artesunate and Carbamazepine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor parasitological and clinical response closely, particularly in severe malaria. Consider an alternative antiseizure drug if prolonged therapy is needed.
What other medicines interact with Carbamazepine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carbamazepine with, for example, Artemether / lumefantrine, Cabotegravir, Delamanid. The full list is on the Carbamazepine page.
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