Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Rifabutin
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Rifabutin: 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
Rifabutin can reduce carbamazepine concentrations and may cause loss of seizure control. Carbamazepine may also lower rifabutin exposure, potentially reducing antimycobacterial efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Rifabutin 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; Rifabutin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Rifabutin induces CYP3A4, increasing carbamazepine metabolism, and carbamazepine may induce rifabutin metabolism.
What to do
Monitor carbamazepine serum levels and seizure control, adjusting the dose as needed. Monitor for reduced antimycobacterial response and consider alternatives if levels are inadequate.
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 Rifabutin
- Cabotegravir + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Lorlatinib + Rifabutin Contraindicated
- Rifabutin + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Apixaban + Rifabutin Major
- Axitinib + Rifabutin Major
- Brexpiprazole + Rifabutin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Rifabutin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Rifabutin 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. Rifabutin can reduce carbamazepine concentrations and may cause loss of seizure control. Carbamazepine may also lower rifabutin exposure, potentially reducing antimycobacterial efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Rifabutin?
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 carbamazepine serum levels and seizure control, adjusting the dose as needed. Monitor for reduced antimycobacterial response and consider alternatives if levels are inadequate.
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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