Drug interactions
Buspirone + Carbamazepine
Severity: Moderate
Buspirone 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 markedly reduces buspirone plasma concentrations, which can render the anxiolytic ineffective.
What this interaction means in plain words
Buspirone 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.
Buspirone belongs to Central Nervous System; Carbamazepine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4, increasing the first-pass and systemic metabolism of buspirone.
What to do
Monitor for loss of anxiolytic effect and raise the buspirone dose as needed; reduce it again if carbamazepine is stopped.
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 Buspirone
- Buspirone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buspirone + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Buspirone with Carbamazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Buspirone 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 markedly reduces buspirone plasma concentrations, which can render the anxiolytic ineffective.
How serious is the interaction between Buspirone 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 for loss of anxiolytic effect and raise the buspirone dose as needed; reduce it again if carbamazepine is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Buspirone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Buspirone with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Linezolid, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Buspirone page.
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