Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Sertraline
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Sertraline: 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
Sertraline may modestly raise carbamazepine concentrations, and carbamazepine as an enzyme inducer may lower sertraline exposure. Clinical consequences are usually small but toxicity such as dizziness, ataxia or diplopia can occur in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Sertraline 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; Sertraline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Possible weak CYP3A4 inhibition by sertraline, and CYP3A4 induction by carbamazepine reducing sertraline levels.
What to do
Check carbamazepine levels and clinical signs of toxicity when sertraline is started or stopped. Adjust the sertraline dose according to antidepressant response.
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 Sertraline
- Isocarboxazid + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline transdermal + Sertraline Contraindicated
- Selegiline + Sertraline Contraindicated
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 Sertraline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Sertraline 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. Sertraline may modestly raise carbamazepine concentrations, and carbamazepine as an enzyme inducer may lower sertraline exposure. Clinical consequences are usually small but toxicity such as dizziness, ataxia or diplopia can occur in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Sertraline?
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 levels and clinical signs of toxicity when sertraline is started or stopped. Adjust the sertraline dose according to antidepressant response.
What other medicines interact with Sertraline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sertraline with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Sertraline page.
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