Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Modafinil
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Modafinil: 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 strong CYP3A4 inducer and can lower modafinil concentrations, possibly reducing wakefulness benefit. Modafinil may in turn affect carbamazepine levels through enzyme effects, although this is less well established.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Modafinil 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; Modafinil belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4, increasing modafinil clearance.
What to do
Monitor clinical response to modafinil and increase the dose if efficacy is lost; consider checking carbamazepine levels when starting or stopping modafinil.
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 Modafinil
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 Modafinil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Modafinil 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 strong CYP3A4 inducer and can lower modafinil concentrations, possibly reducing wakefulness benefit. Modafinil may in turn affect carbamazepine levels through enzyme effects, although this is less well established.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Modafinil?
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 to modafinil and increase the dose if efficacy is lost; consider checking carbamazepine levels when starting or stopping modafinil.
What other medicines interact with Modafinil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Modafinil with, for example, Lenacapavir, Leniolisib, Lorlatinib. The full list is on the Modafinil page.
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