Drug interactions
Erlotinib + Oxcarbazepine
Severity: Moderate
Erlotinib and Oxcarbazepine: 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
Oxcarbazepine can lower erlotinib exposure, which may reduce antitumor efficacy. The effect is expected because erlotinib is cleared mainly through CYP3A4 and oxcarbazepine is a weak to moderate CYP3A4 inducer.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erlotinib and Oxcarbazepine 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.
Erlotinib belongs to Oncology; Oxcarbazepine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Oxcarbazepine and its active metabolite induce CYP3A4, increasing erlotinib metabolism.
What to do
Monitor tumor response and tolerability, and consider an alternative non-inducing antiepileptic. If combined, erlotinib dose escalation may be needed under close supervision.
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 Oxcarbazepine
- Cabotegravir + Oxcarbazepine Contraindicated
- Oxcarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Atazanavir + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Bictegravir + Oxcarbazepine Major
Other interactions of Erlotinib
- Amobarbital + Erlotinib Major
- Apalutamide + Erlotinib Major
- Carbamazepine + Erlotinib Major
- Cobicistat + Erlotinib Major
- Darunavir + Erlotinib Major
- Dexlansoprazole + Erlotinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erlotinib with Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Erlotinib and Oxcarbazepine 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. Oxcarbazepine can lower erlotinib exposure, which may reduce antitumor efficacy. The effect is expected because erlotinib is cleared mainly through CYP3A4 and oxcarbazepine is a weak to moderate CYP3A4 inducer.
How serious is the interaction between Erlotinib and Oxcarbazepine?
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 tumor response and tolerability, and consider an alternative non-inducing antiepileptic. If combined, erlotinib dose escalation may be needed under close supervision.
What other medicines interact with Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxcarbazepine with, for example, Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine, Artemether / lumefantrine. The full list is on the Oxcarbazepine page.
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