Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Ergotamine
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Ergotamine: 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 would be expected to lower ergotamine concentrations and reduce its antimigraine effect. Ergotamine toxicity occurs with CYP3A4 inhibitors rather than inducers, so the main concern here is loss of effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Ergotamine 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; Ergotamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4, which increases ergotamine metabolism.
What to do
Monitor for reduced migraine response and consider an alternative acute therapy if efficacy is lost.
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 Ergotamine
- Almotriptan + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Ergotamine Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Ergotamine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Ergotamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Ergotamine 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 would be expected to lower ergotamine concentrations and reduce its antimigraine effect. Ergotamine toxicity occurs with CYP3A4 inhibitors rather than inducers, so the main concern here is loss of effect.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Ergotamine?
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 reduced migraine response and consider an alternative acute therapy if efficacy is lost.
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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