Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Ketamine
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Ketamine: 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 can lower ketamine exposure and may reduce its anesthetic or analgesic effect. Higher doses may be needed.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Ketamine 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; Ketamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP2B6 and CYP3A4, increasing ketamine metabolism.
What to do
Titrate ketamine to clinical effect and expect a higher dose requirement. Monitor for reduced response in patients on long-term carbamazepine.
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 Ketamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Ketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Ketamine 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 can lower ketamine exposure and may reduce its anesthetic or analgesic effect. Higher doses may be needed.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Ketamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate ketamine to clinical effect and expect a higher dose requirement. Monitor for reduced response in patients on long-term carbamazepine.
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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