Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Dolutegravir
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Dolutegravir: 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 lowers dolutegravir concentrations and could compromise viral suppression. Dolutegravir labeling allows this combination only with increased dosing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Dolutegravir 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 belongs to Central Nervous System; Dolutegravir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces UGT1A1 and CYP3A4, increasing dolutegravir clearance.
What to do
Increase dolutegravir to 50 mg twice daily in integrase-inhibitor-naive patients, or use an alternative anticonvulsant. Monitor viral load.
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 Dolutegravir
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 Carbamazepine with Dolutegravir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Dolutegravir 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 lowers dolutegravir concentrations and could compromise viral suppression. Dolutegravir labeling allows this combination only with increased dosing.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Dolutegravir?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Increase dolutegravir to 50 mg twice daily in integrase-inhibitor-naive patients, or use an alternative anticonvulsant. Monitor viral load.
What other medicines interact with Dolutegravir?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dolutegravir with, for example, Dofetilide, Aluminum hydroxide, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Dolutegravir page.
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