Drug interactions
Eslicarbazepine + Methadone
Severity: Moderate
Eslicarbazepine and Methadone: 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
Eslicarbazepine is a weak to moderate CYP3A4 inducer and may lower methadone concentrations. This can lead to reduced effect or opioid withdrawal in maintenance patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Eslicarbazepine and Methadone 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.
Eslicarbazepine belongs to Central Nervous System; Methadone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP3A4 increases methadone metabolic clearance.
What to do
Monitor for withdrawal symptoms or inadequate analgesia after starting eslicarbazepine and titrate methadone upward as needed. Reassess the dose if the anticonvulsant is stopped.
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 Methadone
- Alvimopan + Methadone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Methadone Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Methadone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Methadone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Methadone Contraindicated
- Lefamulin + Methadone Contraindicated
Other interactions of Eslicarbazepine
- Eslicarbazepine + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Eslicarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Eslicarbazepine Major
- Avapritinib + Eslicarbazepine Major
- Bedaquiline + Eslicarbazepine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Eslicarbazepine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Eslicarbazepine with Methadone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Eslicarbazepine and Methadone 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. Eslicarbazepine is a weak to moderate CYP3A4 inducer and may lower methadone concentrations. This can lead to reduced effect or opioid withdrawal in maintenance patients.
How serious is the interaction between Eslicarbazepine and Methadone?
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 for withdrawal symptoms or inadequate analgesia after starting eslicarbazepine and titrate methadone upward as needed. Reassess the dose if the anticonvulsant is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Methadone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methadone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Droperidol. The full list is on the Methadone page.
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