Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Oxcarbazepine
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Oxcarbazepine: 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
Combining the two gives additive sodium channel blockade and CNS toxicity, such as dizziness, diplopia and ataxia, with little added seizure benefit. Oxcarbazepine may also modestly lower carbamazepine levels through enzyme induction, and the two are structurally related.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Oxcarbazepine 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; Oxcarbazepine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic effects, and mild CYP3A4 induction by oxcarbazepine's active metabolite.
What to do
Avoid routine combination. If used, monitor carbamazepine levels, sodium and neurotoxicity, and adjust doses accordingly.
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 Oxcarbazepine
- Cabotegravir + Oxcarbazepine Contraindicated
- Oxcarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Atazanavir + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Bictegravir + Oxcarbazepine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Oxcarbazepine 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. Combining the two gives additive sodium channel blockade and CNS toxicity, such as dizziness, diplopia and ataxia, with little added seizure benefit. Oxcarbazepine may also modestly lower carbamazepine levels through enzyme induction, and the two are structurally related.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid routine combination. If used, monitor carbamazepine levels, sodium and neurotoxicity, and adjust doses accordingly.
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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