Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Lidocaine
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Lidocaine: 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 is a potent inducer of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2, enzymes involved in lidocaine metabolism, so lidocaine concentrations may be reduced. Systemic lidocaine may be less effective as an antiarrhythmic or anesthetic.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Lidocaine 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; Lidocaine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Hepatic enzyme induction by carbamazepine increases lidocaine metabolism.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and serum lidocaine concentrations during systemic therapy and increase the dose if needed.
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 Lidocaine
- Bupivacaine liposome + Lidocaine Major
- Disopyramide + Lidocaine Major
- Ex vivo expanded autologous human corneal epithelial cells containing stem cells + Lidocaine Major
- Lidocaine + Nirmatrelvir / ritonavir Major
- Lidocaine + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Major
- Lidocaine + Pimozide Major
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 Lidocaine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Lidocaine 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 is a potent inducer of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2, enzymes involved in lidocaine metabolism, so lidocaine concentrations may be reduced. Systemic lidocaine may be less effective as an antiarrhythmic or anesthetic.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Lidocaine?
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 clinical response and serum lidocaine concentrations during systemic therapy and increase the dose if needed.
What other medicines interact with Lidocaine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lidocaine with, for example, Bupivacaine liposome, Disopyramide, Ex vivo expanded autologous human corneal epithelial cells containing stem cells. The full list is on the Lidocaine page.
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