Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Prednisone
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Prednisone: moderate interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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 speeds the metabolism of prednisone's active form, which can reduce corticosteroid effect. Disease flares or inadequate immunosuppression can follow.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Prednisone 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; Prednisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4, increasing glucocorticoid clearance.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and increase the corticosteroid dose if needed. Reassess the dose when carbamazepine is stopped.
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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References
- Prednisone - FDA drug label (DailyMed) — openFDA / DailyMed
Other interactions of Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone 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 Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Prednisone 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 speeds the metabolism of prednisone's active form, which can reduce corticosteroid effect. Disease flares or inadequate immunosuppression can follow.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Prednisone?
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 increase the corticosteroid dose if needed. Reassess the dose when carbamazepine is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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