Drug interactions
Methadone + Oxcarbazepine
Severity: Moderate
Methadone 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 lower methadone concentrations through enzyme induction, which could lead to reduced analgesic effect or withdrawal symptoms. The induction is weaker than with carbamazepine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methadone 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.
Methadone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Oxcarbazepine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Weak induction of CYP3A4 by oxcarbazepine increases methadone metabolism.
What to do
Monitor for withdrawal symptoms or loss of analgesia after oxcarbazepine is started, and adjust the methadone dose as needed. Watch for toxicity if oxcarbazepine is later 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 Oxcarbazepine
- Cabotegravir + Oxcarbazepine Contraindicated
- Oxcarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Atazanavir + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Bictegravir + Oxcarbazepine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methadone with Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Methadone 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 lower methadone concentrations through enzyme induction, which could lead to reduced analgesic effect or withdrawal symptoms. The induction is weaker than with carbamazepine.
How serious is the interaction between Methadone 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 for withdrawal symptoms or loss of analgesia after oxcarbazepine is started, and adjust the methadone dose as needed. Watch for toxicity if oxcarbazepine is later 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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