Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Rufinamide
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Rufinamide: 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 lowers rufinamide concentrations, while rufinamide may modestly alter carbamazepine levels. Anticonvulsant response may change in either direction.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Rufinamide 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; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces rufinamide metabolism; rufinamide is a weak CYP3A4 inducer.
What to do
Monitor seizure control and carbamazepine levels. Adjust rufinamide dose when carbamazepine is started or 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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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 Rufinamide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Rufinamide 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 lowers rufinamide concentrations, while rufinamide may modestly alter carbamazepine levels. Anticonvulsant response may change in either direction.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Rufinamide?
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 seizure control and carbamazepine levels. Adjust rufinamide dose when carbamazepine is started or stopped.
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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