Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Flurazepam
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Flurazepam: 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 may reduce levels of flurazepam's active metabolite and weaken its hypnotic effect. Additive sedation can also occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Flurazepam 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.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4 metabolism of flurazepam and its metabolites, and both drugs cause CNS depression.
What to do
Monitor sleep response and sedation and adjust the flurazepam dose accordingly. Consider a hypnotic less affected by enzyme induction.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Flurazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Flurazepam 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 may reduce levels of flurazepam's active metabolite and weaken its hypnotic effect. Additive sedation can also occur.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Flurazepam?
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 sleep response and sedation and adjust the flurazepam dose accordingly. Consider a hypnotic less affected by enzyme induction.
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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