Drug interactions
Eslicarbazepine + Phenytoin
Severity: Moderate
Eslicarbazepine and Phenytoin: 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
Phenytoin lowers eslicarbazepine exposure, while eslicarbazepine can raise phenytoin levels. Both changes can affect seizure control or cause phenytoin toxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Eslicarbazepine and Phenytoin 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; Phenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Phenytoin induces metabolism of eslicarbazepine, and eslicarbazepine inhibits CYP2C19, reducing phenytoin clearance.
What to do
Monitor phenytoin levels and for toxicity such as nystagmus and ataxia, and adjust phenytoin dose. Titrate eslicarbazepine to clinical 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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Eslicarbazepine and Phenytoin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Phenytoin
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Bictegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Phenytoin 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 Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Eslicarbazepine and Phenytoin 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. Phenytoin lowers eslicarbazepine exposure, while eslicarbazepine can raise phenytoin levels. Both changes can affect seizure control or cause phenytoin toxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Eslicarbazepine and Phenytoin?
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 phenytoin levels and for toxicity such as nystagmus and ataxia, and adjust phenytoin dose. Titrate eslicarbazepine to clinical response.
What other medicines interact with Phenytoin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenytoin with, for example, Artemether / lumefantrine, Bictegravir, Cabotegravir. The full list is on the Phenytoin page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
