Drug interactions
Eslicarbazepine + Primidone
Severity: Moderate
Eslicarbazepine and Primidone: 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
Primidone, via its metabolite phenobarbital, induces enzymes that can lower eslicarbazepine active metabolite exposure. Seizure control may be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Eslicarbazepine and Primidone 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; Primidone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Enzyme induction by primidone and phenobarbital increases clearance of the eslicarbazepine active metabolite.
What to do
Monitor seizure frequency and titrate eslicarbazepine upward if needed. Check phenobarbital levels if sedation occurs.
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 Eslicarbazepine
- Eslicarbazepine + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Eslicarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Eslicarbazepine Major
- Avapritinib + Eslicarbazepine Major
- Bedaquiline + Eslicarbazepine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Eslicarbazepine Major
Other interactions of Primidone
- Lorlatinib + Primidone Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Primidone Contraindicated
- Primidone + Ranolazine Contraindicated
- Primidone + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
- Primidone + Voriconazole Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Primidone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Eslicarbazepine with Primidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Eslicarbazepine and Primidone 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. Primidone, via its metabolite phenobarbital, induces enzymes that can lower eslicarbazepine active metabolite exposure. Seizure control may be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Eslicarbazepine and Primidone?
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 seizure frequency and titrate eslicarbazepine upward if needed. Check phenobarbital levels if sedation occurs.
What other medicines interact with Eslicarbazepine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Eslicarbazepine with, for example, Mavacamten, Rilpivirine, Artemether / lumefantrine. The full list is on the Eslicarbazepine page.
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