Drug interactions
Irinotecan + Oxcarbazepine
Severity: Moderate
Irinotecan 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 may reduce exposure to irinotecan and its active metabolite SN-38 by inducing CYP3A4. This may reduce the antitumor effect of irinotecan.
What this interaction means in plain words
Irinotecan 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.
Irinotecan belongs to Oncology; Oxcarbazepine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 induction by oxcarbazepine increases oxidative clearance of irinotecan to inactive metabolites.
What to do
Where possible, use a non-enzyme-inducing antiseizure drug. If combined, monitor tumor response and toxicity and consider dose adjustment.
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 Irinotecan
- Clozapine + Irinotecan Contraindicated
- Irinotecan + Sacituzumab govitecan Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Irinotecan Major
- Apalutamide + Irinotecan Major
- Atazanavir + Irinotecan Major
- Carbamazepine + Irinotecan Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Irinotecan with Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Irinotecan 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 may reduce exposure to irinotecan and its active metabolite SN-38 by inducing CYP3A4. This may reduce the antitumor effect of irinotecan.
How serious is the interaction between Irinotecan 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: Where possible, use a non-enzyme-inducing antiseizure drug. If combined, monitor tumor response and toxicity and consider dose adjustment.
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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