Drug interactions
Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Oxcarbazepine
Severity: Major
Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen and Oxcarbazepine: major 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
Oxcarbazepine is a CYP3A4 inducer and can lower hydrocodone exposure, reducing analgesia or causing withdrawal in dependent patients. If the inducer is stopped, hydrocodone levels can rise and cause serious respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen and Oxcarbazepine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 induction by oxcarbazepine increases hydrocodone clearance, and this reverses when the inducer is withdrawn.
What to do
Monitor pain control and opioid withdrawal symptoms during coadministration. When oxcarbazepine is stopped or reduced, watch for sedation and respiratory depression and lower the opioid dose as needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen and Oxcarbazepine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Oxcarbazepine
- Cabotegravir + Oxcarbazepine Contraindicated
- Oxcarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Atazanavir + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Bictegravir + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Bosutinib + Oxcarbazepine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen with Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen and Oxcarbazepine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Oxcarbazepine is a CYP3A4 inducer and can lower hydrocodone exposure, reducing analgesia or causing withdrawal in dependent patients. If the inducer is stopped, hydrocodone levels can rise and cause serious respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen and Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor pain control and opioid withdrawal symptoms during coadministration. When oxcarbazepine is stopped or reduced, watch for sedation and respiratory depression and lower the opioid dose as needed.
What other medicines interact with Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxcarbazepine with, for example, Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine, Artemether / lumefantrine. The full list is on the Oxcarbazepine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
