Drug interactions
Cabotegravir + Carbamazepine
Severity: Contraindicated
Cabotegravir 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 induces UGT1A1 and can markedly reduce cabotegravir exposure. This risks loss of virologic suppression and resistance. Labeling contraindicates strong UGT1A1 inducers.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cabotegravir 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.
Cabotegravir belongs to Anti Virals; Carbamazepine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces UGT1A1/UGT1A9, increasing cabotegravir glucuronidation.
What to do
Do not coadminister; use an alternative anticonvulsant or a different antiretroviral regimen.
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
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Delamanid Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Dienogest / estradiol valerate Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Ensitrelvir Contraindicated
Other interactions of Cabotegravir
- Apalutamide + Cabotegravir Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Oxcarbazepine Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenobarbitone Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Rifampicin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cabotegravir with Carbamazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Cabotegravir 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 induces UGT1A1 and can markedly reduce cabotegravir exposure. This risks loss of virologic suppression and resistance. Labeling contraindicates strong UGT1A1 inducers.
How serious is the interaction between Cabotegravir 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: Do not coadminister; use an alternative anticonvulsant or a different antiretroviral regimen.
What other medicines interact with Carbamazepine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carbamazepine with, for example, Artemether / lumefantrine, Delamanid, Dienogest / estradiol valerate. The full list is on the Carbamazepine page.
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