Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Eslicarbazepine
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Eslicarbazepine: 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
Eslicarbazepine may lower carbamazepine exposure through enzyme induction, and the combination has been associated with more diplopia, dizziness and other CNS adverse effects. Both drugs are sodium channel blockers, so additive neurotoxicity is also possible. Seizure control may be affected.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Eslicarbazepine 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; Eslicarbazepine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Mutual CYP3A4 induction may lower concentrations of either drug, with additive pharmacodynamic CNS effects from sodium channel blockade.
What to do
Monitor for diplopia, dizziness, ataxia and loss of seizure control, and check carbamazepine levels. Adjust the dose of either drug as needed, or avoid the combination if tolerability is poor.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Carbamazepine and Eslicarbazepine, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Eslicarbazepine
- Eslicarbazepine + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Eslicarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Eslicarbazepine Major
- Avapritinib + Eslicarbazepine Major
- Bedaquiline + Eslicarbazepine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Eslicarbazepine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Eslicarbazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Eslicarbazepine 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. Eslicarbazepine may lower carbamazepine exposure through enzyme induction, and the combination has been associated with more diplopia, dizziness and other CNS adverse effects. Both drugs are sodium channel blockers, so additive neurotoxicity is also possible. Seizure control may be affected.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Eslicarbazepine?
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 diplopia, dizziness, ataxia and loss of seizure control, and check carbamazepine levels. Adjust the dose of either drug as needed, or avoid the combination if tolerability is poor.
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.
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.
