Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Sarilumab
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Sarilumab: 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
Chronic inflammation suppresses CYP enzymes through IL-6, and sarilumab blocks IL-6 signaling. Starting sarilumab may restore CYP activity and lower levels of CYP substrates such as carbamazepine, which has a narrow therapeutic range.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Sarilumab 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; Sarilumab belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
IL-6 receptor blockade reverses cytokine-mediated downregulation of CYP3A4 and other enzymes, increasing carbamazepine metabolism.
What to do
Check carbamazepine serum concentrations and seizure control when starting or stopping sarilumab. Adjust the carbamazepine dose as needed.
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 Sarilumab
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Sarilumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Sarilumab 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. Chronic inflammation suppresses CYP enzymes through IL-6, and sarilumab blocks IL-6 signaling. Starting sarilumab may restore CYP activity and lower levels of CYP substrates such as carbamazepine, which has a narrow therapeutic range.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Sarilumab?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check carbamazepine serum concentrations and seizure control when starting or stopping sarilumab. Adjust the carbamazepine dose as needed.
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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