Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Etravirine
Severity: Major
Carbamazepine and Etravirine: major 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 CYP3A4 and CYP2C enzymes and can substantially lower etravirine concentrations, risking virologic failure and NNRTI resistance. Coadministration is not recommended.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Etravirine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Carbamazepine belongs to Central Nervous System; Etravirine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4 and CYP2C, increasing etravirine metabolism.
What to do
Avoid and choose a non-inducing anticonvulsant or different antiretroviral. Monitor HIV RNA if unavoidable.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Carbamazepine and Etravirine, 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 14 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 Etravirine
- Efavirenz + Etravirine Contraindicated
- Etravirine + Isavuconazole Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Etravirine Major
- Apalutamide + Etravirine Major
- Cobicistat + Etravirine Major
- Deflazacort + Etravirine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Etravirine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Carbamazepine and Etravirine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4 and CYP2C enzymes and can substantially lower etravirine concentrations, risking virologic failure and NNRTI resistance. Coadministration is not recommended.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Etravirine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid and choose a non-inducing anticonvulsant or different antiretroviral. Monitor HIV RNA if unavoidable.
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.
