Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Thyroid desiccated
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Thyroid desiccated: 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 can accelerate the hepatic clearance of thyroid hormones. In patients on replacement therapy this may lower circulating thyroid hormone and produce hypothyroid symptoms or a rise in TSH.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Thyroid desiccated 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.
Why it happens
Induction of hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase and other enzymes by carbamazepine increases thyroid hormone metabolism.
What to do
Check TSH and free thyroid hormone levels about 6 to 8 weeks after starting or stopping carbamazepine. Increase the thyroid dose if hypothyroidism develops.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Thyroid desiccated?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Thyroid desiccated 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 can accelerate the hepatic clearance of thyroid hormones. In patients on replacement therapy this may lower circulating thyroid hormone and produce hypothyroid symptoms or a rise in TSH.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Thyroid desiccated?
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 TSH and free thyroid hormone levels about 6 to 8 weeks after starting or stopping carbamazepine. Increase the thyroid dose if hypothyroidism develops.
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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