Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Trazodone
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Trazodone: 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 strongly induces CYP3A4 and can markedly lower trazodone concentrations, reducing efficacy. Trazodone may also have minor effects on carbamazepine levels, and toxicity of carbamazepine has been reported in isolated cases.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Trazodone 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; Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Carbamazepine induces CYP3A4-mediated trazodone metabolism; trazodone may weakly affect carbamazepine disposition.
What to do
Monitor clinical response and titrate trazodone upward as needed. Check carbamazepine levels and watch for dizziness, ataxia or diplopia.
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 Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone 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 Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Trazodone 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 strongly induces CYP3A4 and can markedly lower trazodone concentrations, reducing efficacy. Trazodone may also have minor effects on carbamazepine levels, and toxicity of carbamazepine has been reported in isolated cases.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Trazodone?
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 clinical response and titrate trazodone upward as needed. Check carbamazepine levels and watch for dizziness, ataxia or diplopia.
What other medicines interact with Trazodone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Trazodone with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Ibutilide, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Trazodone page.
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